Continental Immunization Strategy (CIS) 2026 – 2030

WHY THE CONTINENTAL IMMUNIZATION STRATEGY (CIS) MATTERS NOW: STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES AND POLITICAL RATIONALE

Africa stands at a critical inflection point for immunization and health security. While major gains have been achieved over the past two decades, progress has stalled and, in some countries, reversed. Coverage gaps persist, the number of zero-dose children is increasing, outbreaks are rising, and external financing is declining sharply.
At the same time, the continent is facing a convergence of pressures that threaten to further undermine these gains:

• Rapid population growth and accelerated urbanization
• Escalating climate shocks, humanitarian crises, and recurrent epidemics
• Increasing conflicts and insecurity disrupting service delivery and access to care
• A global retreat from aid alongside tightening domestic fiscal space
• Continued dependence on imported vaccines and essential health commodities.

The Continental Immunization Strategy (CIS) responds to this critical juncture by repositioning immunization as a foundational pillar of resilient, epidemic-ready primary health care (PHC) and as a strategic investment in health security, sovereignty, and sustainable economic development.

The CIS translates Heads-of-State commitments under the Addis Declaration on Immunization, Immunization Agenda 2030, the Lusaka Agenda, the Africa CDC PHC Transformation Agenda, and the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty agenda into a pragmatic, time-bound roadmap for action (2026–2030).