Africa: Vaccination Rates Are Falling in Africa, but a New Strategy Aims to Turn Things Around. Five Things It Needs to Get Right
[The Conversation Africa] Africa has reached an important moment in its immunisation journey. Coverage is not rising fast enough to keep pace with population growth, persistent inequities and a growing number of vaccines. At the same time, outbreaks and financing pressures are intensifying.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has introduced the Continental Immunisation Strategy 2026-2030 to address declining vaccination rates in Africa. The strategy focuses on six key areas to achieve this goal. First, sustainable domestic financing is crucial, as governments must fund immunisation alongside other essential services while managing debt, climate shocks, and conflicts.
Second, digital technology can improve vaccine delivery by tracking who receives vaccines and managing stock more efficiently. Third, immunisation should be integrated into primary healthcare services for people of all ages, including adolescents, pregnant women, and adults. Fourth, building trust through community engagement is vital, as people are more likely to accept vaccines when they feel respected and involved in decision-making.
Lastly, strengthening Africa's vaccine sovereignty and epidemic preparedness is essential, as the continent relies heavily on imported vaccines and is vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
