The World Health Organization has warned that vaccination progress across Africa is slowing, with millions of children, including those in Nigeria, still without access to routine immunisation.
The organisation raised the alarm on Wednesday during a briefing ahead of African Vaccination Week, where it presented what it described as its most comprehensive review of immunisation, malaria control, vaccination and polio eradication efforts.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohammed Janabi, said momentum on vaccination was weakening, leaving too many children unprotected across the continent.
According to the organisation, the COVID 19 pandemic contributed to a rise in zero dose children, defined as children who have not received any routine vaccine. It noted that 10 countries account for about 80 per cent of the burden.
The Director of Disease Prevention and Control, Dr Benido Impouma, described the situation as unacceptable in the 21st century, stressing that weak health systems and poor access remain major barriers.
“It is not acceptable in the 21st century to have children who are not able to receive even the basic vaccines. It is not just about vaccine access but about health systems,” he said.
Janabi said the findings align with the Immunisation Agenda 2030, adding that since 2000, nearly 20 million measles related deaths have been prevented, while over 500 million children in Africa have benefited from routine immunisation.
He also disclosed that 1.9 million lives were saved in 2024 alone, while malaria vaccines are now being introduced in 25 member countries.
Impouma said the organization is collaborating with Nigeria on malaria vaccine rollout, including training of health workers, community engagement and improved data tracking.
He noted that evidence over the past 27 months shows a decline in severe malaria cases and a 13 per cent reduction among eligible children in countries where the vaccine has been introduced.
The briefing also highlighted progress in polio eradication, stating that cases in Africa declined by 50 per cent in 2025, even though outbreaks continue despite the continent being declared free of wild poliovirus.
WHO Somalia Coordinator for Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance, Dr Gedi Mohamed, warned that countries such as Ghana remain at risk due to cross border movements and called for stronger regional coordination.
On child health, Janabi raised concern over stillbirths, noting that a baby is stillborn every 30 seconds in Africa, translating to nearly one million deaths annually, with about 70 per cent considered preventable.
“We must end the silence around stillbirth,” he said.
On disease outbreaks, WHO said cholera affected countries have reduced from 23 to 14, while active outbreaks dropped from eight to four. However, it warned that poor water, sanitation and hygiene systems continue to drive recurring outbreaks.
In Burundi, the organization said an unidentified illness affecting 35 people in the northern region is under investigation, with samples sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo for further analysis.
WHO Director for Health Emergencies, Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire, said African health systems have demonstrated resilience despite funding constraints, citing Ebola control in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Marburg containment in Ethiopia.
She also noted improvements in oxygen supply systems following the COVID 19 pandemic.
The Director for Health Systems and Services, Dr Adelheid Onyango, said Africa currently produces only about one per cent of the vaccines it requires, adding that countries such as Kenya are working towards local production to reduce dependence on imports.
On Nigeria’s typhoid burden, Impouma said it remains a major public health challenge and will be discussed at a meeting of African health ministers scheduled for August in Addis Ababa.
The WHO added that African led briefings will now be held monthly to update on health emergencies and response efforts across the continent.
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