According to Dr Zeina Elian, Vaccines Medical Head for Sanofi Africa, the country is seeing a resurgence in ‘zero dose’ communities.

These are areas where children have not received a single routine vaccine.

“We are seeing entire groups of children falling through the cracks. If these children remain unvaccinated, diseases we thought were under control can, and will, return.”

Vaccine hesitancy and the spread of misinformation are undermining immunisation efforts.

“Rebuilding trust in vaccines is crucial, not just to protect individuals, but to protect entire communities through herd immunity,” says Dr Elian.

Herd immunity means that when most people in a community are vaccinated, it becomes much harder for diseases to spread.

This protects everyone, especially babies, the elderly, and people with health conditions who can’t get vaccinated themselves.

Dr Elian also stresses that we need to take flu more seriously.

“People think it’s just a seasonal thing or a mild illness, but flu can be serious, especially for pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions.”

Vaccination is a lifelong health strategy, not just a childhood milestone.

Quick facts

Childhood vaccines are free at public clinics.

Since 1974, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation has saved more than 50 million lives across Africa.

Vaccines protect against serious diseases like diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, flu, and more.