Tanzania achieves 95% vaccination rate, progressing towards Universal Health Coverage by 2030

TANZANIA—Tanzania’s vaccination campaign has achieved a 95% success rate, bringing the country closer to its goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

The Minister for Health, Jenista Mhagama, announced this achievement during a two-day visit to the Kagera Region that underscored Tanzania’s commitment to improving public health.

As part of her visit, Minister Mhagama toured Kahororo Ward, where the government plans to construct a modern hospital.

The facility will also house a research center dedicated to monitoring and controlling outbreaks of contagious diseases.

The minister emphasised the importance of the vaccination campaign, stating that this achievement is a crucial step towards UHC, which aims to provide quality healthcare services for all Tanzanians by the end of this decade.

Kagera Region, located on the border with Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya across Lake Victoria, has faced recurring outbreaks of contagious diseases such as Ebola, Marburg, COVID-19, and cholera, which have resulted in the loss of lives.

The region is a hub for several entry points, including Murusagamba, Kabanga, Rusumo, and others, which makes it vulnerable to disease transmission.

Dr. Samwel Laizer, the Regional Medical Officer for Kagera, shared an update on recent cholera cases.

He reported that in November 2023, four people died from cholera in Bugorora Ward, Missenyi District, and eighteen others were hospitalized.

In response, health teams have been conducting educational campaigns and reinforcing health workers’ surveillance and epidemiology skills to prevent further outbreaks.

While Tanzania continues its vaccination efforts, global health concerns remain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms about the resurgence of measles, with cases exceeding 10 million worldwide in 2023.

This marks a 20% increase from the previous year, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.

Measles is highly contagious, and at least 95% vaccination coverage is necessary to prevent outbreaks.

Experts from the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attribute the rise in measles cases to declining vaccination rates.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen stressed that the measles vaccine is the most effective defense against the virus.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also emphasized the vaccine’s life-saving impact, urging global efforts to ensure immunization for all, especially in vulnerable communities.

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