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ADDIS ABABA. — The African Union Commission in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and other key immunisation development partners, will today hold the first ever ministerial conference on immunisation in Africa, at its headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

According to a statement issued by the AU Commision’s directorate of information and communication, the conference’s general objective will be, “to secure the commitment of governments and their partners to reach and sustain the required immunisation quality and coverage as stipulated in the GAVP and the Regional Strategic Plan for Immunisation 2014-2020 so as to eradicate, eliminate and control vaccine preventable diseases in the overall context of health system strengthening in Africa.”

The conference’s specific objectives include:

i. Agreeing on key inter-sectoral actions necessary to improve the quality and achieve higher levels coverage of immunisation interventions in line with the GVAP and RSPI accountability frameworks;

ii. Achieving consensus on ways and means of empowering communities to demand immunisation as their fundamental human right;

iii. Agreeing on actions required from governments and partners to adequately fund immunisation services from national resources;

iv. Sharing and celebrating the achievements of immunisation activities in Africa;

v. Discussing the polio legacy planning;

vi. Advocating for high-level support on vaccine supply and availability in Africa including vaccine production in the context of the Africa Manufacturing Plan initiative.

The conference will be attended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr Hailemariam Desalegn, former Tanzanian president Mr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Dr Mustapha S. Kaloko, WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti, and Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ala Alwan. — AU Commission/Herald Reporter.