
High-Level Forum on Immunisation: A Game Changer for West Africa
The recent High-Level Regional Forum on Immunisation in West Africa, convened by the Africa CDC alongside Senegal's government and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has set a new course for health sovereignty in the region. Taking place from October 17-19, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal, this forum brought together health ministers, finance officials, and regional experts aiming to address the urgent need for enhanced immunization strategies.
As H.E. Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health of the Republic of Senegal, stated, “The health of our people is the foundation of our continent's progress.” This sentiment is echoed by H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, who emphasized immunisation as a universal right imperative for achieving health security. With one in five children in Africa lacking access to basic immunisations, this forum aims to reverse this trend and reaffirm the commitment to vaccine sovereignty.
Investing in Vaccine Production for the Future
Senegal's establishment of the MADIBA vaccine production hub, inaugurated in December 2024, exemplifies ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on external supplies. This plays a crucial role in Africa's strategy to produce 60% of its vaccine needs by 2040, promoting economic stability and public health resilience.
Pioneering a New Public Health Order
The forum represents an awakening of commitment to a New Public Health Order that prioritizes immunisation within primary health care systems. As articulated by Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, local vaccine manufacturing not only fulfills health needs but also positions nations economically against future health crises.
Regional Cooperation is Key to Success
Over the next three days, participants will engage in a structured program aimed at creating a roadmap for immunisation policies tailored to West African nations' specific circumstances. The anticipated Dakar Communiqué will delineate actionable strategies to bolster community health initiatives, ensure no child remains unvaccinated, and embrace local manufacturing as a means of achieving health sovereignty.
Conclusion: What’s Next for West Africa?
This landmark initiative highlights a pivotal moment in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases in West Africa. For policymakers and business leaders, the forum signals a clarion call to invest in local health systems and manufacturing capabilities. As the global landscape shifts towards self-sufficiency in vaccine production, stakeholders must heed this opportunity to transform the public health response on the continent, driving forward the economic growth and stability through health.
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