“Advancing Universal Vaccine Access: A Renewed Call for Political and Financial Commitment to Immunization Across Africa”

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – February 16, 2025 – The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Republic of Sierra Leone, Africa Centres for Disease Control and prevention( Africa CDC), UNICEF, GAVI, Global Health Strategies, PATH, WHO  and other key global health partners, successfully convened a High-Level Side Event on Immunization under the theme “Reaffirming Africa’s Commitment to Immunization: A Call for Action to Strengthen Health Systems.” The event was held on the margins of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The event provided a strategic platform to reflect on the progress of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization (ADI), endorsed by the 28th Assembly of the AU Heads of states  in 2017(Assembly/AU/Dec.624(XXVIII). Leaders assessed the advancements made across Africa in achieving universal immunization coverage and discussed the challenges hindering vaccine access, particularly in vulnerable communities. The gathering also marked the presentation of the final ADI Progress Report (2017-2022), reinforcing the necessity for sustained political and financial commitments towards immunization programs.

Key Highlights

• Reaffirming Political Will: His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, underscored that immunization is fundamental to national security and economic resilience. He called on African leaders to move beyond commitments and take decisive action in strengthening vaccine accessibility across the continent.
• Call for Increased Domestic Investments: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) emphasized the importance of prioritizing local vaccine production and research to reduce reliance on external sources. The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), launched in June 2024, was highlighted as a major initiative to bolster Africa’s self-sufficiency in vaccine production.
• Strengthening Partnerships: Representatives from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, PATH, and other global health partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting African governments in improving immunization coverage, addressing funding gaps, and combating vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Addressing Zero-Dose Children: While significant progress has been made, 6.7 million African children remain unvaccinated. There is an urgency of reaching these zero-dose children to ensure no child is left behind in Africa’s immunisation leadership efforts quoted by Ms. Etleve Kadili and other Leaders emphasized that
• Immunization remains a core strategy to prevent infectious diseases and to improve childhood survival.
• Commitment to Universal Immunization: Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Director of the WHO for the Africa Region, stressed that investing in immunization is not only a health imperative but also a catalyst for economic development, preventing millions of deaths annually and reducing healthcare costs.

Call to Action

The event concluded with a strong Call to Action, urging African Heads of State, Ministers of Health, Finance, and Development Partners to:

• Prioritize immunization as a cornerstone of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and ensure sustainable domestic financing for vaccine programs.
• Strengthen regional vaccine manufacturing capacities to enhance supply chain resilience and self-reliance.
• Implement innovative strategies to reach underserved populations, including refugees and remote communities.
• Leverage public-private partnerships to drive sustainable immunization advocacy and financing mechanisms.

“Now is the time to act with urgency. Immunization is a shared responsibility, and we must work collectively to protect millions of children, build resilient health systems, and ensure universal vaccine access across Africa,” stated President Bio. 

As Africa looks toward a future of health security and pandemic preparedness, the reaffirmation of immunization commitments remains a pivotal step in building a stronger, healthier continent for all.