Africa Vaccination Week 2025: Turning the Tide Against Preventable Diseases

 As Africa Vaccination Week (AVW) is observed from April 24 to 30, public health authorities and global health organizations are calling on African governments, partners, and communities to double down on efforts to expand immunization coverage. The campaign, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, comes at a critical time when vaccine-preventable diseases like measles are resurging in multiple countries across the continent.

This year’s theme, “The Big Catch-Up,” underscores the urgent need to recover from setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted routine immunization services. According to the WHO, millions of children across Africa missed their scheduled vaccinations between 2020 and 2022, creating large immunity gaps and leaving many vulnerable to deadly yet preventable diseases.

The recent measles outbreak reported in parts of Eastern and Central Africa highlights the devastating consequences of these missed vaccinations. Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, continues to pose a serious threat in areas with low immunization coverage. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 20,000 suspected measles cases were reported in Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, with thousands of children affected and several fatalities reported.

“This outbreak is a wake-up call,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “It reminds us that immunization is not optional. It is one of the most effective public health tools to prevent disease, save lives, and build healthier communities.”

AVW 2025 provides an opportunity to refocus attention on routine childhood vaccines such as those against measles, polio, tetanus, and diphtheria, and to integrate these with other essential health services. Health ministries in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda have launched door-to-door vaccination campaigns and awareness drives to reach children in hard-to-reach communities.

However, challenges such as vaccine misinformation, conflict zones, and weak healthcare infrastructure continue to hinder full coverage. UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have stressed the need for greater political will, community engagement, and sustained funding to close the immunization gap.

As Africa Vaccination Week draws to a close, the message remains clear: now is the time to act. Governments, health workers, parents, and partners must work together to ensure that no child is left behind. Strengthening immunization systems today means building a healthier, more resilient Africa for generations to come.