Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough Coverage Rebounds to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Abuja: The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges major strides in immunisation across Africa, but stresses that millions of children are still being left behind. According to WHO, roughly 6.7 million children remain completely unvaccinated, while 9.5 million more have not received the full schedule of immunisations.
Speaking during African Vaccination Week, April 24 to 30, themed “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohammed Janabi, emphasized that vaccines are saving lives every day, preventing an estimated 1.8 million deaths annually across the continent.
He noted that immunisation not only protects individuals but also strengthens families and communities by reducing the impact of disease outbreaks.
Since 2000, nearly 500 million African children have been protected through routine vaccination programmes.
HPV vaccines are now shielding teenage girls from cervical cancer, while maternal vaccines give added protection to mothers and their newborns. Booster shots are also helping adults maintain their immunity.
Dr Janabi pointed to new innovations—such as digital tracking systems, solar-powered cold storage, and community-led outreach—that are driving this progress.
He highlighted the rollout of malaria vaccines now underway in 25 African countries. In a major milestone, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles were the first countries in the WHO African Region to eliminate measles and rubella as of December 2025.
Thanks to initiatives such as the Big Catch-Up, nearly 8.75 million children who previously missed out on vaccines have now been reached.
Coverage rates for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough have bounced back to where they were before the pandemic.
Still, Dr. Janabi cautioned that many hurdles remain. Conflict-affected and remote communities, in particular, continue to face serious barriers to vaccine access. He called for renewed commitment, increased local funding, and broader partnerships.
Dr. Janabi also highlighted how immunisation not only saves lives, but brings significant economic returns—about $44 for every $1 invested.
