Vaccines Save 1.8m Africans Annually – WHO

World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, has said that vaccines prevent about 1.8 million deaths across the continent every year, underscoring the life-saving impact of immunisation as Africa marks African Vaccination Week 2026.

In a message to commemorate Vaccines Week, observed from April 24 to 30 under the theme “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” the regional director highlighted that immunisation remains one of the most effective public health interventions, protecting people at all stages of life.

According to WHO, vaccination has protected approximately 500 million African children since 2000, while newer interventions such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are helping to prevent cervical cancer among adolescent girls. Maternal vaccines, the agency added, are also safeguarding mothers and newborns, while booster doses continue to strengthen immunity into adulthood.

WHO noted that several African countries are already demonstrating progress through innovation in vaccine delivery. These include the use of digital immunisation records, solar-powered cold chain systems in remote areas, and stronger community engagement to improve vaccine uptake. In addition, malaria vaccines are being rolled out in 25 countries, marking a significant step in tackling one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.

Dr. Janabi also pointed to a major milestone recorded in December 2025, when Cape Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles became the first countries in the WHO African Region to eliminate measles and rubella following confirmation by the African Regional Verification Commission.

Efforts to close immunisation gaps have also gained momentum. Through the Big Catch-Up initiative, nearly 8.75 million children who previously missed routine vaccinations have been reached, while coverage for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough has rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels.

On polio, WHO said vaccination campaigns since 1988 have prevented an estimated 1.57 million deaths and averted paralysis in over 20 million people.

In the Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa alone, nearly 200 million children were vaccinated last year through coordinated cross-border efforts.

Despite these gains, WHO warned that significant challenges persist. An estimated 6.7 million children in Africa have not received a single routine vaccine, while 9.5 million others remain under-immunized, particularly in conflict-affected, impoverished or hard-to-reach communities.

The agency also cautioned that ongoing measles outbreaks, the threat of vaccine-derived poliovirus, and recent diphtheria cases highlight the risk of reversing hard-won progress.

At the midpoint of the Immunisation Agenda 2030, WHO called for renewed commitment from African governments and partners, especially as external funding becomes less predictable.

“Immunisation is not a stand-alone programme. It is a pillar of primary health care and a foundation of universal health coverage,” the regional director said, urging countries to increase domestic financing and ownership of vaccination programmes.

WHO further emphasised that immunisation remains a high-return investment, noting that every dollar spent on childhood vaccines in Africa yields an estimated $44 in economic benefits through reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity.

The agency also referenced a recent joint report with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which reviews two decades of immunization progress in Africa and outlines priorities for accelerating efforts toward 2030 targets.

WHO called on governments, partners and communities to intensify collaboration to ensure that the benefits of vaccines reach everyone, regardless of age or location.