Online ReporterRumbidzayi Zinyuke
Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S strong immunisation performance and sustained domestic investment in vaccines have placed the country’s health delivery model under the regional spotlight as senior immunisation experts from 21 countries meet in Harare to chart strategies for protecting more children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The Eastern and Southern Africa Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Managers’ Annual Meeting is reviewing progress in vaccine coverage, efforts to reach children who have not received any routine vaccines, sustainable financing and ways of countering growing misinformation about immunisation.
The meeting has brought together representatives from governments, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International and other development partners.
Speaking at the official opening, Ministry of Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze said immunisation remained one of the most effective investments countries could make in safeguarding public health and supporting national development.
He said Government was committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of where they lived, had access to life-saving vaccines.
“Every child, regardless of where they are born or where they live, deserves the protection that modern vaccines provide. This is in line with His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s commitment to leaving no one and no place behind,” said Dr Maunganidze.
Dr Maunganidze said Zimbabwe’s immunisation agenda was aligned with the National Development Strategy 2, the National Health Strategy and the country’s broader drive towards Universal Health Coverage.
He said the global nature of infectious diseases made continued investment in vaccination essential.
“Until polio is eradicated everywhere, it remains a threat everywhere. Government continues to prioritise immunisation through domestic financing because vaccination is one of the smartest investments a nation can make in its people, its economy and its future,” he said.
Zimbabwe has maintained high routine immunisation coverage despite growing pressure on global health financing, with national coverage standing at about 94 percent.
UNICEF Zimbabwe country representative Ms Etona Ekole said Government’s commitment to financing vaccines had helped sustain the country’s immunisation programme, while development partners continued to support efforts to strengthen delivery systems and reach remote communities.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has demonstrated strong commitment by ensuring vaccines are available through domestic financing. UNICEF supports these efforts by providing cold-chain equipment, training frontline health workers and strengthening community and village health worker programmes,” she said.
Ms Ekole said UNICEF was also supporting vaccine delivery through the provision of transport, including tricycles, to help health workers reach communities that were difficult to access.
WHO representative to Zimbabwe Dr Desta Tiruneh said Zimbabwe was performing above the regional average on most immunisation indicators and was on course to meet its long-term targets if the current momentum was maintained.
“Zimbabwe’s immunisation programme is performing above the regional average and, if current progress is sustained, the country is well positioned to achieve its 2030 immunisation targets,” he said.
However, Dr Tiruneh warned that the rapid spread of unverified information, particularly on social media, posed an increasing threat to public confidence in vaccines.
“One of the greatest challenges we face today is misinformation on social media, sometimes even spread by members of the medical profession. We urge the public to verify any vaccine information with qualified health professionals rather than relying on unverified social media content,” he added.
The regional meeting is expected to explore ways of strengthening community engagement and restoring confidence in vaccines amid the growing influence of misinformation and disinformation.
WHO Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office representative Ms Sarah Wonyioke said the annual gathering provided countries with an opportunity to assess progress, exchange experiences and identify practical solutions to common challenges.
“This meeting brings together representatives from 21 countries to review immunisation performance across Eastern and Southern Africa, assess progress, share lessons and strengthen partnerships,” she said.
Ms Wonyioke said Zimbabwe had been selected to host the meeting partly because of its strong performance and the lessons other countries could draw from its immunisation programme.
“Zimbabwe is ranked fourth in the sub-region for immunisation performance. We are here to understand the investments, partnerships, health systems and leadership that have contributed to this success so that other countries can learn from Zimbabwe’s experience,” she said.
The meeting comes as African countries intensify efforts to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases and ensure that immunisation services reach children in remote and underserved communities.
Delegates are expected to examine strategies for reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunised children, strengthening vaccine supply and cold-chain systems, improving domestic financing and enhancing the capacity of health workers.
The discussions will also focus on how countries can sustain gains in immunisation amid changing global financing conditions and competing health priorities.
As the region moves towards the 2030 immunisation and Universal Health Coverage targets, stronger domestic investment, resilient health systems, community participation and regional cooperation remain critical to ensuring that no child is denied protection against preventable diseases because of where they live.
