Dr Samizi tables Tanzania’s commitment to enhance vaccination, immunization coverage for all its children

ADDIS ABABA: THE Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Florence Samizi, together with Permanent Secretary Dr Grace Magembe, yesterday, August 25, attended a side meeting held on the margins of the 76th WHO-AFRO Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Organised by Gavi, the meeting focused on exploring ways to increase immunisation coverage and ensure that all children in Tanzania have access to essential vaccination services.

During the meeting, Dr Samizi participated as a panellist and outlined Tanzania’s achievements in immunisation services. In 2024, coverage for the third dose of the DTP-HepB-Hib vaccine reached 96 percent, MR1 coverage stood at 99.8 percent, and MR2 at 94 percent. The HPV vaccine reached 5.48 million girls aged 9–14.

Dr Samizi emphasised the Tanzanian government’s commitment to continuing to strengthen immunisation services and increase vaccination coverage, particularly among children living in rural areas, remote communities and hard-to-reach populations.

She further explained that the Government will continue increasing domestic financing for immunisation services while strengthening service delivery systems, monitoring mechanisms and the use of data to reach children who have not been vaccinated or have not completed their vaccination schedules.

ALSO READ: Tanzania embarks on modernization of Muhimbili Hospital for super-specialist healthcare services

Dr Samizi also used the opportunity to thank Gavi for its continued partnership and support to Tanzania, noting that the collaboration has contributed to strengthening immunisation services and public health in the country.

She said Tanzania aims to ensure that immunisation coverage remains high and equitable across all communities so that every child who needs a vaccine can access it, regardless of where they live.