Vaccines save lives—yet systemic barriers continue to leave millions of children across Africa unprotected from preventable diseases
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 30, 2025 – Despite the proven power of vaccinesto save lives, over 500,000 children under five in Africa continue to die each year from preventable diseases, including measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and whooping cough—diseases that have been nearly eradicated in much of the world.
Providing effective protection against these illnesses should be straightforward, yet across the continent, vaccination remains out of reach for millions. Limited domestic health funding, low trust in vaccines, political instability, and the challenge of accessing remote communities all contribute to the problem.
In 2023, just 16 African countries achieved over 90% coverage for essential childhood vaccines, including the third dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP3), and the first dose of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV1). As a result, millions of children remain vulnerable to preventable diseases. A vial of measles vaccine, for instance, costs only USD 2.85. Yet since 2018, 28 African countries have experienced large, disruptive measles outbreaks.
The number of “zero-dose” children—those who have received no vaccines at all—rose to 7.9 million in 2023, a 16% increase from 2019. These numbers reflect the long-lasting impact of COVID-19, inequities in health access, and system-wide fragilities. Countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan continue to report high mortality rates from vaccine-preventable diseases due to inconsistent coverage. Recent outbreaks in Somalia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and ongoing cases of diphtheria and pertussis in Chad and Nigeria highlight the scale of the challenge.
Vaccine-preventable diseases cost African countries an estimated USD 13 billion annually, placing additional strain on overstretched health systems and slowing economic progress. Yet immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective health investments, with a return on investment of up to 37 times the cost.
Africa CDC, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, PATH, and other partners, is advancing the Continental Immunisation Strategy. Guided by the Addis Declaration on Immunisation and aligned with the Immunisation Agenda 2030, this strategy is building a unified, resilient, and equitable immunisation system across the continent.
“Africa currently produces less than 1% of the vaccines it uses. This is a challenge we are committed to changing,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “Our goal is to manufacture 60% of vaccines used in Africa locally by 2040.” In 2024 alone, 25 vaccine manufacturing projects were underway on the continent, with eight antigens expected to be WHO prequalified and market-ready between 2025 and 2030.
Africa CDC continues to strengthen cold chain systems, train health workers, improve data and pharmacovigilance, and mobilise vaccines for emergencies such as COVID-19 and mpox. It is also leading efforts to boost domestic resource mobilisation and develop innovative financing approaches to close persistent immunisation gaps.
Africa Vaccination Week is a timely reminder that while the challenges are immense, the solutions are within reach. With renewed investment, strong political will, and regional coordination, Africa can protect its children and build a healthier, more resilient future.
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About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a public health agency of the African Union. It is autonomous and supports Member States in strengthening health systems. It also helps improve disease surveillance, emergency response, and disease control. Learn more at: connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
Media Contacts: Margaret Edwin | Director of Communication and Public Information | Africa CDC [email protected]
Africa’s Immunization Crisis: An Expert’s Perspective on Challenges and Solutions
Millions of children in Africa remain vulnerable to preventable diseases despite the availability of affordable vaccines. We spoke with Dr. Alisha Obi, a leading global health expert, to understand the complexities of the situation and potential paths forward.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Obi, thank you for joining us. A recent report highlights that over 500,000 children under five in Africa die each year from preventable diseases. What are the primary factors contributing to this tragic statistic?
Dr. Alisha Obi: Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed dire, but not insurmountable. The report rightly points to several key factors. Limited domestic health funding is a major issue, hampering the ability to procure and distribute vaccines effectively.Low trust in vaccines, frequently enough fueled by misinformation, and political instability further complicate matters. And the sheer logistical challenge of reaching remote communities with a consistent supply of vaccines presents a significant hurdle.
Time.news Editor: The report mentions that just 16 African countries achieved over 90% coverage for essential childhood vaccines in 2023. What are the consequences of these coverage gaps?
Dr. Alisha Obi: The consequences are severe. When coverage falls below the necessary threshold, herd immunity is compromised, leaving entire populations vulnerable. This leads to outbreaks of diseases like measles, which, despite being preventable with a readily available and inexpensive vaccine – a vial costs just USD 2.85, as the report notes – has caused large, disruptive outbreaks in 28 African countries since 2018.
Time.news Editor: The number of “zero-dose” children is also a significant concern, rising to 7.9 million in 2023.What does this trend signify?
Dr. Alisha Obi: The increase in “zero-dose” children – those who haven’t received any vaccines at all – is a worrying indicator of systemic failures. It underscores the long-lasting impact of disruptions caused by events like COVID-19, pre-existing inequities in health access, and underlying fragilities within healthcare systems. Certain countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan are particularly affected, reporting high mortality rates from these preventable diseases.
Time.news Editor: What is the economic impact of vaccine-preventable diseases on the African continent?
Dr. Alisha Obi: The economic burden is substantial. The report estimates that these diseases cost African countries approximately USD 13 billion annually. This places an immense strain on already overstretched health systems and significantly impedes economic progress. It’s a vicious cycle – poor health outcomes hinder economic growth, which in turn limits investment in healthcare.
Time.news Editor: The Africa CDC, in collaboration with various partners, is advancing the Continental Immunisation Strategy. Can you elaborate on the key objectives of this strategy?
Dr. Alisha obi: the Continental Immunisation Strategy,guided by the Addis Declaration on Immunisation and aligned with Immunisation Agenda 2030,aims to build a unified,resilient,and equitable immunization system across the continent. It focuses on key areas such as strengthening cold chain systems to maintain vaccine integrity, training healthcare workers to administer vaccines safely and effectively, improving data collection and pharmacovigilance to monitor vaccine safety and coverage, and mobilizing vaccines for emergencies. Another critical component is boosting domestic resource mobilization and developing innovative financing approaches to close persistent immunization gaps.
Time.news editor: The Africa CDC has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing 60% of vaccines used in Africa locally by 2040. What are the prospects for achieving this target?
Dr. Alisha Obi: This is a crucial step towards vaccine independence and health security for the continent.As Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, stated, Africa currently produces less than 1% of the vaccines it uses [[1]]. There’s significant progress underway, with 25 vaccine manufacturing projects initiated in 2024 alone. The expectation is that eight antigens will be WHO prequalified and ready for market between 2025 and 2030. Achieving the 60% target by 2040 requires sustained investment, technology transfer, and a supportive regulatory environment. The African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) also plays a critical role in securing vaccines for the continent [[2]].
Time.news Editor: What key advice would you offer to our readers who are concerned about this issue and want to contribute to positive change?
Dr. Alisha Obi: Firstly, stay informed and share accurate facts with your communities. Combat misinformation about vaccines by promoting evidence-based knowledge. Secondly, advocate for increased investment in healthcare and immunization programs in Africa. Support organizations working on the ground to improve vaccine access and strengthen health systems. Thirdly, if you have the prospect, support initiatives that promote local vaccine manufacturing. Vaccine development in Africa is a critical frontier [[3]]. Every action, no matter how small, can contribute to a healthier and more resilient future for the children of Africa.