Measles Elimination in the WHO African Region: Progress and Challenges

In 2001; countries in the African Region adopted the measles mortality reduction strategies recommended by the WHO and UNICEF. Following the significant reduction in measles cases and deaths with the implementation of the strategies; in 2011; the African Region adopted a measles elimination goal for 2020. To assess progress; performance was reviewed using estimates of the first dose of measles vaccine in routine immunization (MCV1); the reported coverage for measles supplementary immunization activities (SIAs); as well as surveillance data. During 2011-2013; regional MCV1 coverage was stagnant at around 74; while approximately 215 million children were reached in measles SIAs in 43 countries. Regional measles vaccination coverage has not increased and measles incidence has remained high in the past three years. Intensive efforts are required to ensure that routine immunization and SIAs provide high population immunity; and to increase the sensitivity of measles surveillance

Surveillance for Diseases Targeted by new Vaccines: Progress; Challenges and Way Forward

Thirteen years ago; WHO-AFRO proposed the establishment of a sentinel disease surveillance network as part of efforts to improve surveillance for invasive bacterial diseases (IBD) including paediatric pneumonia and meningitis and rotavirus diarrhoea in all Member States as part of surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases and in line with the regional strategy integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR). This was prompted by the eminent availability of new and prospective vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneum); Neisseria meningitides (Nm) and rotavirus vaccines. The Regional Office for Africa developed guidelines and tools and standardized methodology; including cases definitions to be used to recruit eligible cases. This article outlines the challenges and results of this initiative to date and aims for the future

Overview of the WHO Polio Laboratory Network in the African Region

The Polio Laboratory Network has always played a critical role in diagnosing poliovirus disease (poliomyelitis) and the detection of poliovirus transmission. In the new millennium; the strength of the laboratory network is often a direct reflection of the success of the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) programme. The network has taken advantage of new technologies that provide speedy turnaround times for results reporting thus contributing to the success of the PEI programme. This article presents a brief overview of the work of the network

Immunization Monitoring and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Surveillance Data Management in the African Region

Countries in the WHO African Regionhave well-established national immunization programmes and disease control programmes working towards the different goals for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases; and generating coverage and surveillance data. WHO provides technical support to standardize the approaches; methodology; and tools used for data management. The datasets are shared with WHO for purposes of monitoring the coverage and disease trends across the Region. This article reviews the methods WHO employs to build capacity in this field of data management across the Region and the resultant achievements and gaps. Despite the recent improvements in some aspects of data quality; important policy; technical and managerial gaps remain; which need to be addressed in order to ensure that the data coming out of these national programmes are of optimal quality