New vaccine introduction in the East and Southern African sub-region of the WHO African region in the context of GIVS and MDGs

Abstract

Immunization programmes have over the years proven to be effective and useful in infectious disease control. However, based on current trends that show that many developing countries will not reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets, there is an urgent need to accelerate efforts to control the most common conditions still responsible for the largest morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age, like diarrhoea and pneumonia, for which safe and effective vaccines are now available. Through World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) strategies and initiatives like the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS), Accelerated Disease Control and Reach Every District (RED), major positive achievements like the increasing number of children reached with Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) vaccines, significant measles mortality reduction, and the almost complete eradication of polio, have been realised. Many children in developing countries have access to life saving vaccines through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) support. Supplementary immunization activities against measles and polio continue to offer opportunities to deliver measles and polio vaccines, and other life-saving interventions. The Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006-2015 (GIVS framework) can effectively be used to guide countries in addressing some of the remaining challenges to reach the unreached and increase coverage of traditional vaccines, immunize more people against more diseases, support decision making to introduce new vaccines, as well as recognize the opportunity to invest in community health through cost-effective immunization programmes. Introduction of new vaccines should be strengthened and used as vehicles for health systems strengthening as well as for delivery of comprehensive primary health interventions to impact positively on the spiralling disease burden and reduce overall child mortality. A number of countries have adopted and operationalized GIVS through comprehensive multi-year plans for immunization (cMYP). This paper reviews progress with respect to introduction of some of the new vaccines in the East and Southern sub-region of WHO African region in the context of GIVS and MDGs as well as the challenges thereof.