In a powerful message marking African Vaccination Week 2026 from April 24 to 30, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa emphasizes the critical role vaccines play in saving lives and promoting the health of communities across the continent. Under this year’s theme, “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” the message underscores the protection immunization offers throughout the life course, highlighting both past successes and ongoing challenges in vaccination efforts.
Vaccines are credited with preventing an estimated 1.8 million deaths each year in Africa, allowing families to stay united, clinics to focus on care rather than outbreaks, and communities to thrive without disruption. Since 2000, around 500 million African children have benefited from routine vaccinations, creating a healthier future for generations to come. Notably, immunization is crucial beyond childhood—HPV vaccines protect adolescent girls against cervical cancer, and maternal vaccines safeguard both mother and newborn health.
Innovations across the region have demonstrated the potential for success in vaccination campaigns. Digital health records facilitate schedule tracking, solar-powered refrigerators ensure vaccine safety in remote clinics, and community leaders collaborate with health services to maximize outreach. A significant advancement is seen in 25 countries where malaria vaccines are being introduced, providing a formidable tool against this persistent threat.
Moreover, recent achievements include Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles becoming the first countries in the WHO African Region to eliminate measles and rubella, confirmed by the African Regional Verification Commission in December 2025. Their accomplishments portray the attainable goal of a measles-free Africa through continued vaccination efforts and robust surveillance.
The “Big Catch-Up” initiative has made strides in reaching nearly 8.75 million children who missed routine vaccinations, restoring coverage for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough to pre-pandemic levels. Since 1988, polio vaccination initiatives have saved approximately 1.57 million lives and prevented paralysis in over 20 million people, notably protecting 200 million children in the Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa last year. However, ongoing cross-border collaboration remains essential to eliminate vaccine-derived poliovirus transmission.
Despite these successes, the WHO regional director cautions about the persistent challenges faced. Approximately 6.7 million children in Africa have not received a single routine vaccine, and an additional 9.5 million remain under-immunized, especially in fragile communities affected by conflict, poverty, and geographic isolation. Outbreaks of measles and recent cases of diphtheria serve as reminders that advances can be rapidly undone.
As Immunization Agenda 2030 reaches its midpoint, the call to action is clear. A collective commitment to sustaining and enhancing vaccination efforts is vital, especially during a period when predictable external funding cannot be guaranteed.
The WHO urges governments, communities, and individuals to embrace the value of vaccination, reinforcing that immunization is not just a public health initiative but a lifelong investment in the well-being of Africa’s people.
“Africa must deepen domestic resource mobilization and strengthen national ownership. Immunization is not a stand-alone programme. It is a pillar of primary health care and a foundation of universal health coverage.
“It is also one of the smartest investments countries can make. Every dollar spent on childhood immunization in Africa returns an estimated forty-four dollars in economic benefits. The dividend is paid through lower health-care costs, stronger productivity and more resilient societies.
“The WHO Regional Office for Africa recently launched a report in collaboration with our valued partner, Gavi. Towards Immunization Agenda 2030 targets: two decades of immunization efforts in the WHO African Region recognizes what we have achieved, identifies gaps and sets the baseline from which we accelerate toward 2030.
“On the occasion of African Vaccination Week 2026, I call on Member States, partners, communities and all stakeholders to work together so the benefits of immunization reach every person, at every stage of life.”
