WHO launches African Vaccination Week
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched the African Vaccination Week (AVW) in Lusaka, Zambia, under the theme ‘’Vaccination, a gift for life.’’ According to the WHO’s, website, the event marks the commencement of week-long immunisation activities from April 24 to April 30 across all 47 countries in the WHO African Region. “Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions but many children and adults still do not have access to many life-saving vaccines. “It is estimated that about three million children under the age of five years die each year in the African Region and a significant number of these deaths could be prevented by receiving immunisation,’’ the WHO said. The global world body noted that the AVW was designed to strengthen public awareness and demand for immunisation by communities, improve access for high-risk populations and isolated areas in the region. It added that the campaign would provide an opportunity to increase