Africa’s routine immunisation programmes are delivering major public health and economic gains, particularly through HPV and malaria vaccines, while also facing growing financial pressure that could threaten future progress. HPV vaccination in African countries is projected to prevent nearly one million cervical cancer deaths and generate about US$1.8 billion in economic benefits through reduced treatment costs, improved productivity, and lives saved. Since 2019, HPV vaccine programmes have expanded rapidly across the continent, increasing coverage significantly and now reaching millions of girls through school-based and integrated campaigns. By 2024, HPV vaccination alone is estimated to have already helped avert close to one million cervical cancer deaths across 29 countries, strengthening Africa’s position as a global leader in cervical cancer prevention.
Malaria vaccination efforts are also showing strong early results in 25 African countries where the vaccine has been introduced through Gavi-supported programmes. More than 52 million doses have been delivered since 2023, contributing to reductions in severe disease, hospital admissions, and child mortality in several countries. In Burkina Faso, the combined impact of malaria vaccination and other control measures has led to a 32% drop in reported cases between 2024 and 2025, alongside a significant reduction in child deaths and over US$26 million in household healthcare savings. These outcomes highlight how vaccination, when combined with broader health interventions, can significantly reduce disease burden in high-risk settings.
Despite these gains, progress is increasingly threatened by funding constraints. The malaria programme is facing a nearly 30% budget shortfall, forcing a scale-back in support, while broader immunisation efforts risk disruption as countries transition to greater domestic financing responsibility. From 2026 to 2030, vaccine procurement decisions will increasingly shift to national governments, but limited resources may force difficult trade-offs that could reduce overall coverage and impact. Estimates suggest that funding gaps could result in around 600,000 fewer lives saved by the end of the decade if not addressed.
Health leaders and global partners stress that sustained investment is essential to maintain momentum, expand vaccine access, and achieve long-term disease elimination goals. While additional countries plan to introduce HPV and malaria vaccines by 2030, continued progress will depend on stronger domestic funding and donor support to ensure that vulnerable populations remain protected and recent gains are not reversed.
