Programmes and Clusters News

22 April 2021 | Malaria

Boosting equity to malaria prevention in Malawi through vaccination

Clara Magalasi, who lives in a rural village near Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, woke up to a grey morning with a dull sky that was threatening rain. For Clara, the weather did not stop her from walking 4 kilometers to Chileka Health Centre. Her daughter Grace Butawo, who just turned 22 months, was due for her fourth and final dose of the RTS,S malaria vaccine. According to Clara, she was conscious about the dates to take her child for the final dose of the malaria vaccine as she understands its benefits.

22 April 2021 | Measles Vaccines Immunization Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Risk of major measles outbreaks as countries delay vaccination drives

Fifteen African countries delayed measles immunization drives last year as they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. While seven of these countries have now completed the campaigns, eight remain outstanding, posing a risk of major measles outbreaks.

20 April 2021 | Trachoma

The Gambia eliminates trachoma as a public health problem

The Gambia has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the third African country to be validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated the disease as a public health threat.

15 April 2021 | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccines

Bolstering vigilance as Africa rolls out COVID-19 vaccines

More than 13.6 million – including 12 million AstraZeneca – vaccine doses have been administered in Africa, with most of the adverse events reports following vaccination involving only mild to moderate side effects. There have been no cases of blood coagulation disorders reported following vaccination.

13 April 2021 | Ebola Disease

An imam, a priest and the Ebola fight in Guinea

Imam El hadj Moussa Soumahoro wears a serious face. He has just ended a morning sermon that concluded with Ebola preventive messages and the importance of vaccination against the virus that recently re-emerged in Guinea for the first time since the 2014–2016 outbreak. Soumahoro has joined the fight against the disease.

8 April 2021 | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccines