Worried by the rising cases of Vaccine-preventable diseases, African immunisation experts under the aegis of the African Regional Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (RITAG), have called for concrete action to stem the tide of vaccine-preventable diseases in the WHO African Region.

Making the call at the end of its two-day meeting in Dakar, Senegal, to discuss the state of immunisation in the region, the group noted that while Africa has made tremendous gains towards increasing access to immunisation in the last 15 years, progress has stagnated, leaving 1 in 5 African children without access to life-saving vaccines.

Measles alone, they, noted, accounts for approximately 61,000 preventable deaths in the region every year. The RITAG serves as the principal advisory group to the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, on regional immunisation policies and programmes.

“We know that immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions and that ensuring universal access can drive real progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. We’ve made good progress – but now is the time to up our game,” said Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action, Dr Awa Marie Coll-Seck.

In her opening remarks at the RITAG meeting, Coll-Seck stated: “Senegal is proud to have hosted this important meeting, aimed at ensuring that all children across Africa have access to the vaccines they need to survive and thrive.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/africa-experts-seek-sustained-immunis...