At a lunch meeting organized by GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance on the Unfinished Business of Immunization during the Ordinary General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), immunization partners and OAFLA came together to renew their commitment to complete the “unfinished business with child health in Africa”. 

Half of children’s deaths in Africa are caused by vaccine-preventable diseases, making immunization critical to increasing child survival and health, and also key to achieving the targets set in the new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr Paul Mainuka, acting WHO Representative to Ethiopia, said, “Imunizations will play a major role in sustaining and advancing our goals to further improve child health,” adding, “As one of the most cost effective public health interventions available, over the past several decades, vaccines have saved countless lives.” Partners called on the need to address equity and inequality, stressing that access to immunization and other lifesaving interventions a right of the African Child. 

The economic and developmental benefits of immunization were also stressed, noting that a vaccinated child has more chance of survival, goes to school more and has better learning outcomes – growing to become a productive citizen.

Dr Mainuka further highlighted that the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 aspires to ensure health and well-being for all, including a bold commitment to achieve universal health coverage, and provide access to safe and effective medicines and vaccines for all. Dr Mainuka also recalled that the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) – a framework for preventing millions of deaths by 2020 through more equitable access to existing vaccines for people in all communities – was endorsed at the 65th World Health Assembly by 194 Member States. He reiterated WHO’s continued commitment to support Member States to fulfil their obligations as outlined in the GVAP.

The resonating message from the meeting was to leave no child behind, today tomorrow and into the future.