Tanzania’s immunization rate hailed as it hits 90 percent

TABORA: TANZANIA has maintained a national immunization coverage rate of over 90 percent for five consecutive years, the Minister for Health, Jenista Mhagama, revealed in Tabora today.

This outstanding performance places the country among the top-performing nations in vaccine service delivery.

Minister Mhagama made the remarks in Tabora Region during the launch of the National Immunization Week, held under the theme “Vaccines are protection; let’s unite to ensure all eligible individuals are vaccinated”

Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized the importance of the Immunization Week as an opportunity for communities to ensure that all children and eligible individuals receive vaccines according to the national health schedule. She urged health service centers to continue providing vaccination services to all citizens in need.

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“This level of immunization, together with other health interventions, has significantly contributed to the reduction of under-five child mortality, helping the country progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4),” said Minister Mhagama.

She also called on communities to take the lead in ensuring that every eligible child receives vaccination, warning that failure to do so leaves them at high risk of contracting preventable diseases.

Meanwhile, the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at the Ministry of Health, Ziada Sellah representing the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe stated that the main aim of the immunization week is to bring together stakeholders and health experts to discuss strategies for strengthening the provision of quality vaccination services in Tabora Region and across the country.

The National Immunization Week is commemorated annually to raise public awareness on the importance of vaccines and to encourage community participation in ensuring that all children are protected from life-threatening diseases.