Ghana introduces two life-saving vaccines

Ghana has become the first African country to roll out pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines at the same time, simultaneously tackling the two leading causes of child deaths – pneumonia and diarrhoea.

“Immunization rates for infants in Ghana now stand at over 90%,” said Dr Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, Deputy Director-General for WHO. “In addition to the strong routine immunization programme, the country also conducts supplemental immunization activities to reduce the incidence of diseases such as measles, polio and yellow fever.”

A new global strategy aims to reduce measles deaths and congenital rubella syndrome to zero. The strategy comes with the publication of new data using a state-of-the-art methodology showing that efforts to reduce measles deaths have resulted in a 74% reduction in global measles deaths, from an estimated 535 300 deaths in 2000 to 139 300 in 2010.

“A three-quarters drop in measles deaths worldwide shows just how effective well-run vaccination programmes can be,” says Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “Now we need to take the next logical step and vaccinate children against rubella, too.”

Over 180 countries across the world are participating in the first ever World Immunization Week. The WHO-led initiative takes place from 21-28 April 2012 aims to raise awareness and encourage people everywhere to protect themselves and their families against vaccine-preventable diseases. It is also a time to focus on the fact that in this rapidly globalizing world, disease outbreaks can affect communities everywhere.

WHO supports countries to implement a wide range of activities including dissemination of information; training of healthcare workers and vaccination of vulnerable populations against diseases such as diphtheria, measles, polio and rubella. WHO ensures that governments obtain the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high quality immunization programmes.

New life-saving vaccines being developed and introduced in immunization programs around the world require immunization supply systems that are up to the task of ensuring that those vaccines reach the people who need them most.

A new call for proposals from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seeks bold new strategies to increase the effectiveness and reliability of immunization systems. The Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations grant program offers US$100 000 grants to help prove the potential of innovative approaches to optimize immunization systems.