One in five children in Africa not receive life-saving immunizations: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU) have called for expanding access to vaccines as one in five children in Africa still do not receive life-saving immunizations.

The figure was released in a Tuesday report by WHO Regional Office for Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean Region as the first-ever ministerial conference on immunization in Africa will be held from Feb. 24 to 25 at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Africa's routine immunization coverage of 80 percent is the lowest of any region in the world, according to the report.

The ministerial conference is expected to bring together ministers of health and other line ministers as well as parliamentarians to commit to providing universal access to immunization and strengthening of vaccine delivery systems.

"For Africa to achieve its full potential and secure a bright future, we must unite to ensure that every child on the continent receives the vaccines he or she needs to survive and thrive," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

"It is unacceptable that one in five African children lack access to lifesaving vaccines, and this report is an urgent wake-up call to Africans of all walks of life and at every level," said the director.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, noted that Africa's unity on immunization is the best hope for a better future on the continent.

Highlighting on the economic benefits, the report urges countries to increase investments in immunization.

While donors have played an important role in supporting immunization programs, long-term domestic commitment will play a bigger role in increasing access to routine and new immunizations.

The proportion of domestic funding varies widely across African countries, ranging from zero percent to 100 percent, the report says, only 15 African countries fund more than 50 percent of their national immunization expenditures. Endit