Africa’s routine immunization programmes are delivering measurable public health impact at scale, with millions of lives saved, and families and communities protected from the devastation of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Immunization coverage has expanded markedly on the continent since 2000 when just eight vaccine-preventable diseases were included in routine immunization schedules compared with 13 currently. Introduction of vaccines such as the malaria and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are providing vital protection for children, young girls and women.

HPV vaccines have helped avert close to 1 million cervical cancer deaths in 29 African countries as of 2024, while some of the 25 countries that provide the malaria vaccine are reporting strong early impact such as reduced severe disease and hospitalization, according to an assessment by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and World Health Organization (WHO) in Africa ahead of the African Vaccination Week and World Malaria Day marked respectively on 24–30 April; and 25 April. 

Global leader in protecting women and girls against cervical cancer

Recent HPV national introductions and multi-age campaigns in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Angola have reached millions of girls within weeks, often through school based and integrated delivery models, even as health systems responded to other outbreaks and competing priorities. Since 2019, the number of African countries with HPV vaccination programmes has increased from 12 to 35, and coverage rates have risen from 5% (in 2014) to 47% (in 2024)—placing the region second globally in terms of coverage, behind only the Americas. Across Africa, HPV vaccination has generated an estimated US$ 1.8 billion in economic benefits through avoided treatment costs, productivity gains, and lives saved.