***Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu urges governments to prioritize immunization as African Vaccination Week 2025 begins
As African Vaccination Week 2025 begins across the continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a sobering reminder: 6.7 million African children received no vaccines at all in 2023—highlighting a growing gap in immunization coverage that threatens decades of public health progress.
In a statement released to mark the annual observance, which runs from April 24 to 30 and coincides with World Immunization Week, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, warned that one in every five children in Africa remains under-vaccinated, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable diseases.
“Immunization is not just a health tool; it’s a human right and a vital investment in our future,” said Dr. Ihekweazu. “This year’s theme, ‘Immunization for all is humanly possible’, is a call to action—to reach every child, close immunity gaps, and restore services disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Vaccines have saved over 154 million lives globally over the last 50 years, reducing infant mortality by 40% and shielding humanity from more than 30 deadly diseases. But despite such gains, the African Region continues to struggle with vaccine access, affordability, and misinformation.
Dr. Ihekweazu stressed that the battle is not lost. The region has recently made measurable progress in fighting vaccine-preventable diseases—particularly poliovirus. Between 2023 and 2024, cases of circulating variant poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) dropped by 93%, while cVDPV2 cases declined by 65%.
“These figures show that eradication is within reach—if we stay the course and target high-risk areas like the Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa,” he added.
The message comes midway into the global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a 10-year strategy aimed at achieving universal vaccine access by the end of the decade. Dr. Ihekweazu urged African governments to ramp up domestic investment in immunization and integrate vaccine delivery into primary healthcare.
A recent high-level side event, co-hosted by WHO, the African Union Commission, the Government of Sierra Leone, Africa CDC, Gavi, and UNICEF, took stock of Africa’s immunization progress since the 2017 Addis Declaration. While acknowledging political will and system improvements, the gathering highlighted persistent challenges—particularly financing gaps, weak data systems, and vaccine hesitancy.
To sustain momentum, Dr. Ihekweazu called on:
Governments to make immunization a national priority and invest sustainably;
Health systems to integrate vaccines into routine care and reach remote areas;
Communities to counter misinformation and promote vaccine confidence;
Development partners to maintain support for equitable vaccine access.
Across the continent, countries are already rising to the challenge. Uganda has launched its largest malaria vaccine rollout to date; Ethiopia has vaccinated nearly one million “zero-dose” children through its Big Catch-Up campaign; Angola has vaccinated over a million people to curb a cholera outbreak; and Sierra Leone has commenced an Ebola vaccination drive for frontline health workers.
“The WHO Regional Office for Africa remains committed to supporting all countries to ensure no one is left behind,” Dr. Ihekweazu said. “Vaccinated communities are healthy communities—and we must make that a reality for every African.”
