African Health Budget Network (AHBN) says there is an urgent need for leaders and policy makers on the continent to prioritize and invest more resources in immunization.
This was contained in a statement issued by the organisation on Friday.
African leaders to prioritize and invest more resources in immunization as the 2026 World Immunization Week approaches.
“Between 2019 and 2021, 67 million children globally missed vaccinations, with 12.7 million in Africa. In 2021 alone, 12.7 million children in Africa were under-immunized, including 8.7 million zero-dose children. Half of the top 20 zero-dose countries are in Africa, with Nigeria (2.2 million) and Ethiopia (1.1million) accounting for two in five zero-dose children on the continent.
“The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) calls on the 55 African Heads of State, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to urgently translate commitments into sustained action to improve the health and wellbeing of Women, Children and Adolescents across the continent. Under the 2026 theme, ‘For Every Generation, Vaccines Work’, AHBN underscores the critical role of immunization as a life-course intervention and a cornerstone of resilient, equitable health systems”, the organisation said.
Aligned with commitments of the African Union on immunization priorities and the vision of the Immunization Agenda 2030—which seeks to ensure that everyone, everywhere, at every age benefit from vaccines, AHBN has asked leaders to take the following actions:
“Strengthen Domestic Financing and Political Commitment for Immunization and Vaccine Procurement, Strengthen Accountability and Data-Driven Decision Making.
“Prioritize Equity and Reach Zero-Dose Populations, Including Children in Missed Communities, Promote Multi-sectoral and Inclusive Partnerships for Immunization”.
In addition, AHBN echoed Africa CDC’s call to accelerate local vaccine and pharmaceutical production, including the ambition to produce 60% of vaccines locally by 2040, as a pathway to health security, affordability, and timely access.
The organisation therefore reaffirmed its commitment to working with governments, regional institutions, and partners to advance accountability, strengthen health systems, and ensure that every woman, child, and adolescent in Africa has access to quality, equitable, and life-saving health services.
