This year, as the world commemorates World Immunization Week from April 24 to April 30, South Sudan joins the global community in celebrating the monumental 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). This milestone highlights the transformative power of vaccines, which have significantly decreased child mortality rates globally. They lead to elevated health standards by reducing or eradicating the prevalence of critical diseases, such as eradicating smallpox and reducing the wild poliovirus to two countries.

In 1974, only 5% of the world’s children had been vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. That figure has increased to nearly 85% of children worldwide and 73% in South Sudan today.

Smallpox was eradicated some five years after the birth of the EPI. Since then, the wild poliovirus has been geographically limited to only two countries, and the threat of several serious infectious childhood diseases has also been reduced. Through innovation and technology, new vaccines, including the malaria and COVID-19 vaccines, have been developed that can protect against even more diseases today.

This year, World Immunization Week celebrates and recognizes our collective efforts to save and improve countless lives from vaccine-preventable diseases and underscores that immunization for all is humanly possible!

“We must increase vaccination coverage to safeguard children against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Health. “Unfortunately, routine vaccination coverage against these diseases remains low in South Sudan, leaving many children vulnerable to childhood illnesses. Therefore, the significance of vaccination campaigns cannot be overstated.”

Over the past five years, vaccination rates among infants have significantly improved. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF’s estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC), the percentage of children under one-year-old who received the third dose of the DPT vaccine—which protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus—increased from 59% in 2018 to 73% in 2022.

Given the challenging context of the country and the suboptimal immunization coverage, there have been outbreaks of yellow fever, measles, and vaccine-derived poliovirus cases. These were promptly responded to this year by the Ministry of Health, providing opportunities to 465 798 people 9 months- 60 years in five affected counties in WES to be vaccinated with yellow fever vaccine, 115 981 children under 15 years reached with measles vaccine in three counties and 3,083,515 children under five nationwide vaccinated with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

“Vaccines save lives. WHO works with countries across the globe to raise awareness of the value of vaccines and immunization. It ensures that governments obtain the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high-quality immunization programmes. They have been proven to reduce illness and deaths among children in the African Region. For 50 years, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has focused on protecting children from diseases like tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and measles. Today, this number has grown to 13 universally recommended vaccines across the life course. Vaccines prevent serious diseases and save lives,” said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, the WHO Representative for South Sudan.

Celebrating Immunization Week, Hamida Lasseko, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, said, “Immunization is not just a medical achievement; it’s a testament to our shared commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring a healthier future for all. As we mark 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, let us renew our dedication to reaching every child, every family, and every community with the life-saving protection of vaccines. Together, we prove that immunization for all is not just a goal; it’s our collective duty, and it’s humanly possible.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Sudan engaged in vigorous efforts to deploy the Covid-19 vaccine. Over 5 million people aged 18 and above, accounting for 82% of the target, have been vaccinated with the primary series, and efforts are being made to integrate the vaccine into the routine immunization and primary healthcare system.

South Sudan joins the world in celebrating the 50 years of the Expanded Program on Immunization and, with its partners, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ensuring equitable immunization services reach every corner of the country to leave no one behind.

With the support of Gavi, the vaccine alliance, the country is set to introduce the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization system by July 2024. By 2025, Gavi is also supporting the introduction of the Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and Rota Virus vaccine (RVV) into the immunization system in the country to protect children against Pneumonia, and diarrhea will be introduced.

South Sudan urges all communities, traditional and religious leaders and institutions, and indeed national and international partners to continue to support the drive to increase immunization coverage in the country and extend vaccination to the second year of life as immunization remains the most cost-effective public health intervention to prevent diseases.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – South Sudan.

Matteo Pragassen is almost a year old and his mother, Diane Uranie, has brought him to the Beau Vallon health centre in Victoria, Seychelles’ capital, for his measles-mumps-rubella vaccination. Shortly after arrival, nurse Brigitte Mathiot deftly administers the shot, and it is all over. 

“As part of my postnatal care, the clinic advised of me of the different shots Matteo would have to take as he grows older that are necessary for protection against the various illnesses,” says Uranie. “I’m happy that he is getting the shots because it helps his body get immunity from diseases.” 

Routine childhood immunization is a key element of child health and survival services offered by the Ministry of Health in Seychelles. The immunization programme in Seychelles was formally established in 1974, with World Health Organization (WHO) support and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, along with WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunization. The programme has grown over the years to include 13 antigens. 

Seychelles has attained high vaccination coverage for essential childhood vaccines, reaching above 95% – which is optimal to avoid vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in the population. In 2022, coverage for the first and third doses of the diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP1 and DTP3, respectively) and the first dose of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) in the country was estimated at 99%, 97% and 98%, compared with a regional average of 80%, 72% and 69%, respectively. The country also weathered COVID-19 disruptions, with only a slight dip in coverage in 2021 which were restored to pre-pandemic levels the following year.  

There has also not been a single case of measles or rubella in the country for the last four years and immunization efforts have placed Seychelles on the track to become the first country in the African region to receive certification for measles elimination.

The last polio case recorded in Seychelles was in 1966 and the country has progressed towards achieving the global targets for polio eradication. The country obtained wild polio-free certification from WHO in September 2020. 

The success of the immunization programme is multi-faceted. Free and accessible child health services enables women to deliver at health facilities, ensuring that vaccines administered at birth are received in a timely manner. Immunization is also integrated into other child survival interventions and health workers educate mothers on the importance of immunization from the outset.

“We start promoting immunization with the mothers from the antenatal clinic appointments, right through birth and postnatal until when the children go to school,” says Mathiot. “Every visit we repeat the message and remind the mothers of the importance of immunization.” 

Seychelles’ stable economy and high-level political commitment have translated into sustainable financial resources and a dedicated a dedicated budget line for immunization that cannot be used for other interventions. High literacy rates and access to media and information facilitates widespread acceptance of vaccination among the population, as evidenced by the country’s success in COVID-19 vaccination. It was only one of four countries in the African region to vaccinate over 70% of the total population against COVID-19. 

“WHO commends the Government of Seychelles in its commitment childhood immunization,” says Dr Rex Mpazanje, WHO Representative in Seychelles. “The Organization was there 50 years ago when the country established the programme, we have continued to be there for the last five decades, and we look forward to being there as the country reaches even bigger milestones in its efforts to halt vaccine-preventable diseases.”

WHO has been a key partner of Seychelles in strengthening its immunization programme and ensuring that all children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Over the years, the Organization has provided technical guidance and financial support for new vaccine introduction and to sustain high coverage of existing vaccines, supported the development, implementation and monitoring of national immunization policies, conducted regular training for health workers, donated medical equipment and supplies to ensure the quality and safety of vaccines and facilitated the exchange of experiences and lessons learned with other countries in the African region and beyond. 

Matteo will grow up protected against all vaccine-preventable diseases, due to the dedication of his mother and a well-established health system. “I understand why Matteo needs to have his shots as I had them as well and we all need to have them,” she says. “I wouldn’t want him to fall ill because we neglected to follow advice.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Seychelles.

The revelation was made yesterday, 29th April, 2024 by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilisation, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga while launching the monitoring process at Bunnya Foundation Primary School, P.W.D village, Luwero Town Council in Luwero District.

While addressing the congregation, Mr. Byaruhanga said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has initiated several programs to benefit Ugandans, however, some have faced certain hindrances which the government has managed to solve or is looking forward to working on.

“In January, 1997, the Universal Primary Education (UPE) was initiated and in February, 2007, the Universal Secondary Education (USE) was introduced. Here the beneficiaries began to complain about the fees charged by the school heads. When we interrogated the school heads, they replied that they don’t have enough teachers, so they outsourced some teachers who are paid using the money which is received from parents.  However, the government is still investigating the matter,” the Senior Presidential Advisor stressed.

“The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) was created in 2001 to address constraints of lack of access to agricultural information, knowledge and improved technology among rural poor farmers in the country. However, the program reached a few people. And on the 26th February, 2022, PDM was initiated by the President as a strategy to improve service delivery and alleviate poverty at the grassroots level. However, there are some challenges which need to be ironed out,” said Mr. Byaruhanga.

He further revealed that the President had appointed Hajjat Mariam Namayanja Kiwanuka as a Special Presidential Assistant to monitor PDM funds.

Mr. Byaruhanga also clarified that the maximum amount of PDM money to a beneficiary is Shs1 million which is payable within two years. He added that the money doesn’t go back to the government, it remains in the Parish SACCO.

On people who squander government resources, Mr. Byaruhanga assured that the culprits will be arrested and dealt with according to the laws that govern the country.

The warning came after the Luwero Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Richard Bwabye’s concern about the misconduct of some government officials involved in soliciting PDM money from beneficiaries. Mr. Bwabye also revealed that he had recovered a total of Shs61 million and was still hunting for more culprits to be arrested and charged accordingly.

On the issue of money lenders collecting National Identity Cards from borrowers as collateral, Mr. Byaruhanga gave an instruction to the RDC to ensure that the money lenders return the IDs to the owners because that is a government property.

He added that the President instructed the Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka to institute a law deterring money lenders from using National IDs as a collateral security.

On the other hand, Mr. Byaruhanga urged Luwero politicians to cooperate with the residents in order to deal with the rampant land wrangles in the area.

During the event Mr. Walulya Josephus Mukasa, the PDM coordinator in Luwero sub county revealed that they have a total of 1,156 beneficiaries; 551 males and 605 females.

He said that the beneficiaries have prioritised the agricultural sector such as growing maize, beans, vegetables, coffee, Matooke and rearing cattle, chicken, pigs, and goats.

Walubya also noted that 70% of PDM money has been well utilised in the sub county whereas the remaining 30% of the money has issues where the beneficiaries directed it to other things like paying school fees for their children.

Hajjat Mariam Namayanja Kiwanuka, the Special Assistant to the President explained to the congregation her role as the officer responsible for monitoring PDM funds across the country.

She explained that her role is to register names of all PDM beneficiaries, the amount of money they received, how they are using the money, the challenges they face, and thereafter, the President will intervene accordingly.

Hajjat Namayanja also said the monitoring process has begun from Luwero district and will be extended to the other parts of the country.

Mr. Richard Ssimbwa, the LCIII Chairperson for Luwero sub county complained about the parish chiefs who extort money from the beneficiaries. He narrated that the parish chiefs remove names of the right beneficiaries from the system and replace them with the names of those who bribed them which hinders the success of the PDM program.

He concluded by commending the President for initiating the program and also appointing Hajjat Namayanja to monitor the program.

The NRM Chairperson for Luwero district, Mr. Ronald Ndawula appreciated the government for introducing the PDM, a project aimed at alleviating poverty among Ugandans.

He also told the residents that now that they stay in a peaceful country, they should vote well next time.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

The goal of the African Vaccination Week is simple yet profound:  The week focuses on emphasizing the importance of protecting every person’s right (particularly every child, woman and entire community) from vaccine-preventable diseases by strengthening immunization programs across the African Region.

Under the slogan ‘Vaccinated communities, Healthy communities’, Africa Vaccination Week aims to keep immunization high on national and regional agendas towards delivering life-saving interventions for happier and healthier communities.

Over the years, Immunization road maps have been developed, cold chain equipment have been provided, and partnerships have been forged to increase access to life-saving vaccines.

However, challenges remain.

Vaccine hesitancy, lack of local vaccine manufacturing capacity, and inadequate financial resources pose significant hurdles.

To address these challenges, the Africa CDC has laid out key actions

Creation of a new Directorate of Primary Health Care, to have a centred focus on strengthening health systems and immunization across the continent
Leading the charge towards the vital goal of access to safe and effective vaccines. Heads of State and Government recently expanded local manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for Africa’s self-sufficiency in health
Fostering partnerships with like-minded partners, investing in research, and building local capacity

Call to Action

We call upon political leaders and policymakers to prioritize immunization, increase domestic funding, and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination.

We urge communities and stakeholders to mobilize support and advocate for concerted action against vaccine-preventable diseases and,

We invite African Union first ladies and high-level leaders to join us in raising awareness about the benefits of immunization, particularly in the prevention and control of diseases like cervical cancer. ‘Vaccinated communities, Healthy communities!

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).