The civil society organizations (CSOs) met in Addis for a full day meeting on 23rd of February, 2016 to discuss their role in holding governments accountable to improve vaccine access and coverage in Africa in line with the Global Vaccine Action Plan. Key conclusions from the meeting as well as the CSOs’ declaration on immunization presented at the Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa (MCIA). So far as of march 2016, over 80 organizations endorsed the CSOs’ declaration on immunization to show their commitment to these goals.  

Dr Filimona Bisrat, Chair of Ethiopian Civil Society Health Forum (ECSHF), in his opening speech said that the CSOs have contributed to enhance quality and equity of the EPI service over the past few years to strengthening national immunization coverage through partnerships, advocacy, social mobilization, research, capacity building and mainstreaming immunization system through community intervention. He also appreciates the ECSHF members, which composed of more than 140 CSOs, for playing role and their contribution so far and urged to further strengthen and enhance their contribution in coordinated manner.

During the meeting, CSOs reviewed the best practices in community-level immunization advocacy and outreach work and identified ways that CSOs can best work together following the conference. The session provided an opportunity for a broader health and development audience to join the conversation and provide their perspective on CSO engagement and advocacy with governments and other stakeholders on immunization efforts. The meeting was structured through panel sessions and small group discussions.