The Cape Town Declaration on Vaccines 2012: Unlocking the full potential of vaccines in Africa.
Delegates at the first International African Vaccinology Conference noted, with dismay, that many African children have limited access to existing and new vaccines as a consequence of weak immunisation programmes, lack of political will, and high vaccine prices. This inequality is a denial of the African child her basic right to a healthy life, and jeopardises long term economic growth on the continent. In addition, there is insufficient emphasis in Africa on adolescent and adult immunisation. The delegates documented various concerns and made various commitments; contained in this Cape Town Declaration on Vaccines, adopted on 11 November 2012. Finally, delegates confirmed their agreement with the goals and strategic objectives of the Global Vaccine Action Plan, and committed to hold African leaders accountable for its implementation during the Decade of Vaccines. The full list of registered conference delegates is provided as supplementary data to this manuscript.
Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: wiysonge@yahoo.com.
Charles S
CS
Wiysonge
Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Zainab
Z
Waggie
Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
Anthony
A
Hawkridge
National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Barry D
BD
Schoub
National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa; Medical Research Council: Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Shabir A
SA
Madhi
Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Helen
H
Rees
Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Gregory D
GD
Hussey
D000349:Africa; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014612:Vaccines
Africa; Cape Town Declaration on Vaccines; Country ownership; Expanded Programme on Immunisation; Global Vaccine Action Plan