EYE Strategy's Annual Highlights 2021

We hope you have all had a good start to 2022 and thank you once again for your contributions and support to the EYE Strategy in 2021. We had another busy and productive year, moving us closer to our goal of eliminating yellow fever epidemics by 2026.

2022 marks the crucial mid-point of the strategy, so this year, we will conduct a formal review of our achievements and impact to date. As we head into the second half of the strategy, we are focused on strengthening the foundations of sustainable yellow fever outbreak elimination up to 2026 and beyond. (Continued below image...)

Download a copy of the annual highlights here. 

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a marked resurgence of yellow fever cases and outbreaks in Western and Central Africa, including in countries with a history of preventive mass vaccination campaigns, but where immunity gaps exist. Further preventive campaigns in high-risk areas and opportunities to increase vaccination coverage remain a priority for this year. 

The following risks are current and require our ongoing focus:

1. Active yellow fever virus circulation in low immunity, high vulnerability, and frequently, border areas, with risk of spread. There are also increased concerns about urban risk. Other Aedes-borne disease outbreaks indicate the potential for yellow fever transmission in unprotected populations.

2. Further decline in routine immunization coverage in the context of resurgent yellow fever, particularly in Western and Central Africa.

3. Delayed yellow fever campaigns and preventive activities, resulting in the persistence of yellow fever outbreak risk.

For now, we present you with EYE's 2021 annual highlights, reflecting on the good progress made in another challenging year. Download a copy of the annual highlights here. 

The EYE Secretariat