by Siyabonga Gema (HST Communications Officer)
As our continent observes African Vaccination Week, which runs from 24 to 30 April, as part of World Immunization Week, the call to action, ''Immunisation for all is humanly possible'', is proving ever more relevant. The COVID-19 epidemic, which wreaked havoc in Africa, claiming around 257 984 lives, shone a glaring light on the need for equity in the provision and acquisition of vaccines, especially when competing with wealthier countries.
African Vaccination Week emphasises the need for concerted action to promote regional vaccination systems, including boosting the timely use of vaccines to protect people of all ages from disease. It strives to keep vaccination at the top of national and regional agendas through lobbying and partnerships while encouraging the implementation of other life-saving interventions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Region states that this year's theme aims to:
1. Reach zero-dose children (those that lack access to or are never reached by routine immunisation services) through accelerated implementation of big catch-up initiatives.
2. Show vaccines' health benefits for children, communities, and Africa.
3. Highlight routine immunisation's role in strong health systems and universal coverage.
4. Continue improving immunisation and address gaps with more investment.
According to WHO Africa, immunisation is one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions available, preventing over four million deaths yearly. Apart from its direct effect on population health, vaccination also adds value by lowering the burden of disease on people, families, and communities. This includes lowering medical costs and increasing productivity and educational opportunities.
In South Africa, the government prioritises childhood vaccinations to boost children's immunity against diseases like meningitis, polio, measles, hepatitis B, diphtheria, and tuberculosis (TB). State clinics offer free immunisation, with the first shots administered at birth. Although there have been major gains in Africa in terms of immunisation, there is still some cause for concern. WHO Africa states that approximately 1 in 5 African children do not receive all the necessary and basic vaccines. As a result, more than 30 million children under five still suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) every year in Africa. Of these, over half a million children die from VPDs annually – representing approximately 58% of global VPD-related deaths.
To sustain strong vaccination programmes that can provide vaccines to everyone in Africa, particularly the most vulnerable, strategic investments to fortify health systems are essential. In addition to improving child health and survival, expanding access to vaccines is essential for establishing the framework for nations to provide all citizens with the fundamental medical care they require to live healthy and prosper.
In response, the South African government established the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in South Africa (EPI-SA), a critical public health effort aimed at avoiding childhood diseases through vaccination. Its goal is to lessen the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases by ensuring that children and pregnant women have access to lifesaving vaccines. EPI-SA has made tremendous advances in providing new vaccinations and modifying schedules to meet South Africa's specific needs.
Through community involvement, disseminating correct information, and removing obstacles to access, society can play a major role in boosting vaccination and vaccine uptake. This entails collaborating with the government and other health organisations, communicating through a variety of platforms, and ensuring that everyone, particularly underserved populations, has access to immunisations.