The World Health Organisation (WHO) says vaccines prevent about 1.8 million deaths annually in Africa, describing immunisation as one of the continent’s most effective public health interventions.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohammed Janabi, made this known in a statement marking African Vaccination Week, observed from April 24 to 30, under the theme: “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work.”
Janabi said vaccines continue to save lives, protect families, and enable communities to function without the disruption of preventable disease outbreaks.
He noted that since 2000, nearly 500 million children across Africa have benefited from routine immunisation programmes, significantly reducing childhood mortality and disease burden.
According to him, the impact of vaccination extends beyond childhood, as vaccines such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) jab help prevent cervical cancer in adolescent girls, while maternal vaccines protect both mothers and newborns.
He added that booster doses also help sustain immunity into adulthood.
The WHO official highlighted notable progress in immunisation coverage across the continent, citing innovations such as digital tracking systems, solar-powered cold chain storage, and expanded community outreach programmes.
He also pointed out that malaria vaccines are now being introduced in 25 African countries. In addition, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles were recently declared the first countries in the WHO African Region to eliminate measles and rubella in December 2025.
Janabi said the “Big Catch-Up” campaign has helped reach nearly 8.75 million children who had previously missed routine vaccinations, while coverage for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Despite these gains, he warned that significant gaps remain, with about 6.7 million children still unvaccinated and 9.5 million under-immunised across Africa, particularly in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas.
He called for renewed political commitment, increased domestic funding, and stronger global partnerships to close the immunisation gap.
Janabi also stressed that vaccination is not only a life-saving health tool but also an economic investment, noting that every dollar spent on immunisation yields an estimated 44-dollar return through improved productivity and reduced healthcare costs.
