Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Africa’s expanding immunisation programmes are saving millions of lives and curbing deadly diseases, but a looming funding gap now threatens to reverse hard-won gains.
A joint assessment by the World Health Organization and Gavi made public on Friday, the Vaccine Alliance shows routine vaccination coverage has widened significantly since 2000, with protected diseases rising from eight to 13.
New vaccines targeting malaria and human papillomavirus (HPV) are driving progress against cervical cancer and child mortality.
HPV immunisation alone has helped avert nearly one million deaths across 29 African countries, with rollout expanding rapidly in nations including Nigeria and Ghana.
“HPV and malaria vaccines are opening new frontiers in healthcare,” says Thabani Maphosa.
Malaria vaccination campaigns have delivered over 52 million doses since 2023, reducing severe cases and hospital admissions in high-burden countries.
“We are recording a historic decline in cases and deaths,” says Robert Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou.
However, a nearly 30 per cent funding shortfall now threatens expansion plans, including efforts to reach 50 million children by 2030.
“These gains are under threat,” WHO Africa Director Mohamed Janabi warns.
Health experts say sustained domestic and global investment will be critical to sustaining progress and preventing setbacks.
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Otamere Gladness 
Koko Maxwella 