Angola's Commitment to Child Health: The National Immunization Strategy 2026-2030
In a significant step towards safeguarding Angola's future, the country has unveiled its National Immunization Strategy (NIS) 2026-2030, a comprehensive plan to protect children's health and strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization. This strategy, developed with the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and aligned with global and regional immunization goals, sets ambitious yet realistic targets to ensure every Angolan child is safeguarded.
The NIS prioritizes equity, sustainability, and the integration of vaccination services, placing them at the heart of Angola's public health agenda. The WHO's technical support throughout the process, from situational analysis to the final monitoring framework review, has been instrumental in shaping this strategy. According to Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta, Minister of Health, "The National Immunization Strategy 2026-2030 is a pivotal moment for Angola, as we celebrate 50 years of independence. Protecting every Angolan child is an investment in our nation's future."
The strategy's goals are bold: achieving 90% vaccination coverage by 2030, reducing the number of unvaccinated children to less than 5%, maintaining Angola's polio-free status, eliminating neonatal tetanus, and achieving measles elimination targets. To make these goals a reality, the strategy focuses on strengthening the cold chain, improving sustainable financing, providing continuous training for healthcare workers, and enhancing epidemiological surveillance and outbreak response. Dr. Helga Freitas, National Director of Public Health, emphasizes the strategy's potential: "This plan will be crucial in ensuring consistent progress in child protection, integrating vaccination into primary healthcare, and strengthening our response to vaccine-preventable diseases."
Angola's commitment to preventing preventable diseases is evident in recent advances in the Expanded Program on Immunization. The introduction of the HPV vaccine for over 2.2 million girls is a testament to the country's dedication to improving vaccination coverage. The collaboration between the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, Rotary International, and other technical partners and donors will further strengthen the implementation of the NIS, ensuring the expansion of immunization activities, professional training, technical standard updates, and the adoption of new vaccine storage technologies.
Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola, highlights the strategy's alignment with international best practices: "The National Immunization Strategy 2026-2030 is a robust document that will ensure every child in every province has access to life-saving vaccines."
As Angola embarks on this ambitious journey, the NIS 2026-2030 serves as a beacon of hope, guiding the nation towards a healthier, more protected future for its children. The success of this strategy will not only impact Angola but also contribute to global efforts in disease prevention and public health.
