Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

💬 “The African movement for health sovereignty is not rhetoric. It is in flesh and blood.” Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, shares her key takeaway from the WHS Regional Meeting 2026.   She speaks about the growing momentum behind African health sovereignty and the responsibility of global actors to respond to that demand. She emphasized that this is a continent-led movement calling for greater autonomy in decision-making, stronger policy leadership, and concrete support for vaccine manufacturing in Africa. For global health institutions, this means aligning more closely with country and regional priorities and supporting long-term capacity.  #WHSNairobi2026

A new study suggests wildlife like foxes and crows can harbour drug-resistant bacteria, forming a feedback loop driving hard-to-treat infections in people. The full story on #VaccinesWork: bit.ly/42FJuLe

In Madagascar, stigma is undermining the fight against mpox. Here’s how vaccines are protecting at-risk communities from both the virus and social ostracism: bit.ly/3QJDqif

Eight routine vaccines are being increasingly linked to a reduced risk of dementia. From the flu shot to shingles, staying up-to-date on your immunisations might be helping your brain health. The full story: bit.ly/41Yx3dk

“Protecting ecosystems and safeguarding human health are linked.” Researchers tracking tuft-tailed rats in southeastern Madagascar have shown how improved ecological monitoring can also help monitor and manage the risk of diseases that affect humans: bit.ly/4ugFQDj Via Mongabay

The nomadic communities of Kenya’s Isiolo County have the longest average travel time to immunisation facilities of all Kenyans. That can take a toll on immunisation rates, especially when the families themselves are also perennially on the move. Inside the effort to reach the hardest to reach: bit.ly/4tvOoGy

Child health campaigns do more than deliver vaccines. In Zimbabwe, they also provide vitamin A, a critical intervention that helps prevent blindness and supports immunity. Read how Zimbabwe’s health workers are correcting disruptions to prior gaps: bit.ly/3OXV69c

A new study has shown that the antibiotics most often used to fight the bacteria causing sepsis may actually trigger those bacteria to release more inflammation-driving particles. How does this affect the body’s response to infection? bit.ly/3QTPvkT

With more than 100,000 dengue infections last year, Bangladesh is being besieged by the mosquitoes responsible for dengue. Scientists are hoping a new app will help them gain the upper hand and help researchers learn more about dengue hotspots. The full story: bit.ly/4cDcARr

Reaching the most vulnerable children isn’t just about logistics and access, it’s about connection too. In Cameroon, health workers who remained embedded in communities during crises are now helping bridge gaps in immunisation. Here’s how trust is driving progress: bit.ly/4d0VzzB

How does a wild fox end up with antibiotic-resistant bacteria? Scientists in Italy found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in foxes and crows at levels five times higher than what’s seen in clinics. Here’s why wildlife monitoring could function as an early warning system for the spread of resistance: bit.ly/42FJuLe

This fear and stigma makes contact tracing and follow-up care challenging. Dr Andriarimanana Soaniaina Mampionona said that when some patients test positive they “run away because they are afraid.” Learn more about Madagascar’s efforts to build public trust and bring the outbreak under control: bit.ly/3QJDqif

Mpox is a physically gruelling virus with painful symptoms including a distinctive rash, fever, muscles aches and exhaustion. However, many patients say that public exposure can be harder to bear than the illness itself:

In Madagascar, misinformation about how the mpox virus is transmitted is causing serious social stigma for patients. The vaccine rollout and ongoing awareness efforts are tackling both the virus and the fear that surrounds it. ⬇️🧵

How do you study dangerous viruses without putting people at risk? Researchers are testing new ways to allow them to investigate potential pandemic threats more safely. Read more about the evolving approach via @ConversationUK: bit.ly/3QHpu8r

"I came to have my child vaccinated against meningitis, polio, and measles. Everything went smoothly. Thanks to the awareness campaigns led by women leaders, I regularly take my child to vaccination sessions to protect him against diseases." Salimata Traoré with her child Ibrahim, 10 months old, in the yard of the Yirimadio Community Health Association. Thanks @gavi for the support. #VaccineWorks #WorldImmunizationWeek

In a dynamic #AfricanVaccinationWeek event, a panel discussion with health experts & a knowledge contest among mothers highlighted the life-saving power of immunization & community support for vaccines in protecting children. 💉 Knowledge is the first step to protection! @gavi

Reaching the most vulnerable children isn’t just about logistics and access, it’s about connection too. Vaccine rumours quickly lose their intensity when they are countered by positive personal or family experiences In conflict-affected parts of Cameroon, a faith-based organisation has been bridging the gap left by damaged public health services for decades, building a generational well of trust. bit.ly/4d0VzzB

One in four Zimbabwean children is deficient in Vitamin A, which means they are at risk of stunting and vision loss. In reply, a 2025 campaign started to combine measles vaccination with vitamin A supplementation, and parts of rural southern Zimbabwe have already started seeing a change for the better. The full story on VaccinesWork: bit.ly/3OXV69c

Investments in immunisation in lower-income countries are at record highs, but to sustain this important shift towards vaccine sovereignty will need parliamentarians to keep engaging and maintaining momentum. Thank you to all the parliamentarians who joined a vital discussion today on how together we can help ensure no child goes without lifesaving vaccines. #WorldImmunizationWeek #VaccinesWork @UNITE_MPNetwork