African Vaccination Week (AVW) 2018 will be celebrated from 23 to 29 April 2018 with the theme “Vaccines work, Do your part!” It aims at to raising awareness of the needs and rights of all people, particularly children and women, to be protected from diseases which can be prevented by vaccines.
AVW keeps immunization high on the national and regional agendas through advocacy and partnerships. It also promotes delivery of other high impact lifesaving interventions.
This year's theme, "Vaccines work, do your part” highlights that everyone has a role to play to ensure that more people are vaccinated. This is crucial for achieving the target of universal immunization coverage by 2020, thus contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and Universal Health Coverage.
2018 AVW campaign goals
In line with objectives of the global and regional immunization strategic plans, the persistent challenges to achieve the set targets, this year’s AVW will continue focus on advocacy and sensitization on the need and role of everyone to close the gap: individual, government, civil society, partners, etc
Therefore, WHO and partners aim at:
- Highlight the need and importance for everyone to get vaccinated/ update its immunization status throughout the life course, while also receiving other lifesaving interventions
- Ensuring full involvement and contribution of all stakeholder (CSO, OAFLA……)to make sure everyone is reached with vaccines and other health interventions
- Advocate for government and all stakeholders to allocate sufficient resources to immunization as per 10 ADI commitment.
For updates on the 8th AVW, please follow @WHOAFRO and use the hashtag #AVW18.