Kinshasa – At their 2024 assembly in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo from 9 to 12 September, Important Programme on Immunization (EPI) managers from Central African nations dedicated to consolidate positive factors made by the EPI in its 50 years of existence.

The assembly, which introduced collectively EPI Managers from Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe was geared toward celebrating the achievements of EPI within the final 50 12 months of saving lives from vaccine preventable ailments. 

The Secretary Basic of from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Well being, Dr Sylvain Yuma counseled stakeholders in EPI for the achievements through the years and highlighted the vital function of collaboration amongst communities, healthcare employees and different actors within the success of this system.

“This celebration is a chance to acknowledge the decisive contribution of well being employees in any respect ranges, group well being employees, political and group leaders within the implementation of immunization programmes, and within the successes that we’re going to have fun this night. With out group involvement, it might not have been attainable to fight vaccine hesitancy, to vaccinate hard-to-reach populations, and to take care of the supply of immunization providers throughout humanitarian crises and, in battle zones,” mentioned Dr Sylvain Yuma.

Via EPI, Central African nations have made progress within the battle towards vaccine preventable ailments. The sub area has eradicated wild poliovirus and eight out of 10 nations have achieved maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination. 

Nonetheless, since 2019, the immunization protection within the Central African sub-region has stalled as a result of affect of the COVID19 pandemic and different elements, with over 13 million zero-dose and under-immunized youngsters being recorded from 2019 to 2023. These gaps have left youngsters susceptible to vaccine preventable ailments, with the sub area recording 9280 circumstances and 144 deaths from measles outbreaks between January and July 2024.

Subsequently, the assembly afforded the administrators a possibility to evaluation standing of immunization and mentioned methods of strategizing to enhance protection and the positive factors made by EPI in Central Africa.

“Catching up with the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of youngsters who missed all or a part of the vaccines within the nationwide schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic must be thought-about as a prime precedence for EPI within the African area. Profitable implementation of the Huge Catch-Up Initiative is our solely likelihood of quickly lowering the immunity hole inherited from the pandemic,” mentioned Dr Matsidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Among the outcomes of the assembly embody the necessity to deal with gender and entry gaps in immunization programming and promote equitable entry to vaccines and go away nobody susceptible to vaccine preventable ailments. 

Moreover, the EPI Managers resolved to strengthen coordination amongst nations and with companions to facilitate data sharing and unlock funding alternatives to enhance immunization service supply throughout the sub area.

“Vaccines not solely enhance public well being, but in addition college efficiency, family earnings and financial progress. Each greenback invested in immunization brings a return of US$ 48. It’s attainable to save lots of extra lives by way of vaccination. UNICEF reiterates its dedication to ensure the precise to immunization and well being for each little one and each inhabitants in West and Central Africa,” mentioned Mr Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

The EPI was launched in 1974 by the World Well being Group, to ascertain equal entry to life-saving vaccination for kids throughout all geographical areas and socioeconomic standing. It’s estimated that vaccination has accounted for 40% of the noticed decline in international toddler mortality, and 52% within the African area.  The institution of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in 2000 gave new impetus to EPI by rising entry to sustainable sources to fund immunisation providers, strengthening well being programs, and supporting the introduction of latest vaccines, notably in low-income nations like most Central African nations. 

“This 12 months, we’ve got seen two malaria vaccines being launched, particularly in Africa. I need to acknowledge the nice contribution of African communities and scientists to profitable to the method that led to profitable rollout of those vaccine. Reaching one billion youngsters with lifesaving vaccines over the following decade is a aim that I’m satisfied we’ll obtain,” mentioned Dr Thabani Maphosa, Chief Nation Supply Officer at Gavi.