The endorsement by African leaders comes one year after health ministers from 20 African countries signed the declaration during a ministerial gathering held in Ethiopia. “We know that universal access to immunisation is achievable,” said outgoing African Union Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. It includes 10 commitments, including increasing vaccine-related funding, strengthening supply chains and delivery systems, and making universal access to vaccines a cornerstone of health and development efforts. The show of support from Heads of State has been hailed as a significant step towards achieving universal access to immunisation. Consequently, governments must redouble their efforts to make universal immunisation coverage a national priority.

Source: Daily Nation February 02, 2017 13:21 UTC