Vaccines Save 51.2 Million Lives in Africa Over 50 Years, WHO Report Finds

 

A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that vaccines have saved approximately 51.2 million lives in the African region over the past five decades. This achievement is attributed to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), a WHO initiative launched in 1974 to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.

The report, released at the beginning of this year's African Vaccination Week and World Immunization Week, highlights the significant impact of vaccines on public health in Africa. It notes that for every infant life saved through vaccination, close to 60 years of life are lived, underscoring the long-term benefits of immunization.

Since its inception, the EPI has expanded to include antigens for 13 vaccine-preventable diseases, up from the initial six. This expansion, supported by WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has led to a reduction in measles and meningitis deaths, as well as the eradication of indigenous wild poliovirus in Africa in 2022.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the importance of sustaining and expanding vaccine equity to end the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases. She highlighted the rollout of new vaccines, such as the first-ever malaria vaccine, and the expansion of existing vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine, as key steps in ensuring future generations in Africa thrive.

UNICEF Regional Directors for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Khadilli, and West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, praised the progress made in immunization coverage in Africa over the past fifty years. They called on leaders, partners, and donors to protect these gains and ensure that all children receive the life-saving vaccines they need.

Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programmes Delivery at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, highlighted the impact of vaccines as one of the most cost-effective investments in health and development. He stressed the importance of governments investing in immunization to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity for a safe and healthy future, especially in the face of emerging threats like climate change and infectious diseases.