The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned that millions of children across the continent have no access to life-saving vaccines, with over half a million children aged under five killed by preventable diseases annually.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Africa CDC said that preventable disease, such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and whooping cough, continue to pose significant threats to the well-being of children in Africa.
“Yet, vaccination remains out of reach for millions across the continent. Limited domestic health funding, low trust in vaccines, political instability and challenges in accessing remote communities all contribute to the problem,” said the Africa CDC.
Data from the African Union’s specialized healthcare agency showed that in 2023, only 16 African countries achieved over 90 percent coverage for essential childhood vaccines. Meanwhile, the number of those who have received no vaccinations rose to 7.9 million in 2023, marking a 16 percent increase since 2019.
The Africa CDC noted that a number of African countries continue to report high mortality rates from vaccine-preventable diseases, largely due to inconsistent vaccination coverage.
It said that these diseases are estimated to cost African nations around 13 billion U.S. dollars each year, placing additional strain on Africa’s overstretched health systems and slowing economic progress.
With the African continent currently producing less than one percent of the vaccines it uses, the Africa CDC reiterated its commitment to the ambitious goal of locally manufacturing at least 60 percent of the vaccines used in Africa by 2040. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
Share Us
