The objective of the Regional Immunisation and Vaccines Development (IVD) programme is to support countries in the WHO African Region to provide high quality immunization services that will contribute to (a) the reduction of mortality, morbidity and disability from vaccine preventable diseases through the optimum use of available and new vaccines and (b) the strengthening of national health systems as well as efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

The functions of the Programme are:

• To maximize access to efficient, quality and sustainable immunization services;
• To accelerate disease control initiatives (measles and yellow fever), eradicate polio, eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT), as well as epidemic meningococcal A meningitis;
• To strengthen surveillance for diseases targeted by existing vaccines.
• To strengthen immunization systems;
• To promote integration of immunization with other interventions;
• To strengthen research in immunization and vaccine development activities.
• To introduce new vaccines and appropriate technologies, into national immunization programs.