Africa Region celebrates World Immunization Week

Africa WIW2023For the 13th year, the AFRO Region synchronized with the other 5 WHO regions to commemorate the World Immunization Week, from 24-30 April 2023. On 20 April, a press conference to set the scene was addressed by the Director of Programme Management (AFRO) and the Minister of Health of the Republic of Sierra Leone, among key hosts. 

On the continent, various activities were organized to mark the event. In Nigeria, the WHO representative met with 30 journalists to touch on the World Malaria Day (on 25 April) and the African Vaccination Week. On its side, Tanzania chose to integrate the Vaccination week with a COVID-19 vaccination which was launched by the Health Minister. To align with this year’s theme “The Big Catch Up” – countries such as Mali and Madagascar targeted Zero-dose populations in order to vaccinate them along with under vaccinated children. In Mali, Zero dose children in 2022 add up to 82,658 from 75 districts. Madagascar intensified advocacy, social mobilization actions and vaccinated Zero dose and under-vaccinated children too. As the country is facing a cholera outbreak, Malawi organized an oral cholera vaccination campaign in 5 targeted districts in a bid to control the epidemic. 

It is worth mentioning that several countries (Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo or Liberia, etc.) with clear plan of activities will observe the Vaccination Week later.

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Authors: Hilaire DADJO (WHO/IST West, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Ado BWAKA (WHO/IST West,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) 
Photo: WHO Rep to Nigeria, Dr W. Kazadi Mulombo meets with the press – Credits: WHO/Nigeria