This week we commemorate the African Vaccination week – a time when countries in the African Region embark on raising public awareness on the benefits of vaccination and conduct different catch-up vaccination activities. The theme for this year’s commemoration, “Vaccination, a shared responsibility” is both timely and apt highlighting the role and importance of governments, health care workers, parents, families and communities -- all doing their part to support immunization. Everybody has a role to play in fighting vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, whooping cough, measles, tetanus, diphtheria, influenza, diarrhea, pneumonia, hepatitis, etc.
Introduced only three years ago, the African Vaccination Week (AVW) initiative is now known for promoting the benefits of immunization during a person's life, and the delivery of life-saving interventions in the WHO African Region. Indeed hundreds of millions of children, adolescents, women, and men were vaccinated and/or received other health interventions during the last three sessions. We have made great strides in the control of some of the vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, epidemic meningococcal type A meningitis, polio and others.
Ongoing efforts by countries in introduction of new vaccines are injecting momentum to vaccination efforts. This progress is a shining example of what can be done when all stakeholders join hands to improve the health of the people. However, progress can only be sustained if vaccines are provided as part of a comprehensive approach to health services delivery.
By commemorating the AVW 2014, countries are demonstrating an acute awareness of our collective vulnerability to diseases – a vulnerability which calls for shared responsibility and investment of even more resources in immunization. Health partners are on hand to provide technical and other support.
We should all take advantage of the Week to check whether we and our families are up-to-date with the vaccines we need. Timing, they say is everything – and this is definitely the case with vaccines, as they are most effective when they are given at the right time.
I urge you all to discharge the double responsibility of getting yourselves vaccinated and ensuring that you and your family and community members are up-to-date with recommended vaccination schedules.
Thank you.