WHO: Immunization programme saves nearly 51 million lives in Africa

Vaccines have saved an estimated 51.2 million lives in the African region over the past 50 years, Africanews reported yesterday citing the World Health Organization.

The WHO announced the achievement on Wednesday at the start of this year’s African Vaccination Week and World Immunization Week, having led the analysis of the impact of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) from 1974 to 2024.

According to the source, in half a century, vaccination against 14 diseases has directly contributed to reducing infant deaths by 40% globally, and by more than 50% in Africa.

According to the WHO’s landmark study, global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years.