‘50m saved in Africa through immunisation’

More than 50 million lives have been saved through vaccines in the African region over the past 50 years, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The body noted that for every infant life saved over the period, close to 60 years of life were lived.

The report, which assesses the life-saving impact of vaccines, was released, yesterday, at the start of this year’s African Vaccination Week and World Immunisation Week, being marked from April 24 to 30 under the theme, “Safeguarding our Future: Humanly Possible”.

According to the report, notable achievements have been made, including reduction in measles deaths, with an estimated 19.5 million deaths averted over the last 22 years while the region has also witnessed a sharp decline in meningitis deaths by up to 39 per cent in 2019 compared with 2000.

Also, maternal and neonatal tetanus has nearly been eliminated in the region.

It noted that the achievements had been possible under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), a WHO initiative launched in 1974 as a global endeavour to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.