Amref Health Africa (Amref) is awarding US$1.9 million in subgrants for district-level health systems strengthening initiatives across Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. With support from The Rockefeller Foundation, nine African non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will work with Amref to implement local strategies for improving Covid-19 vaccine coverage among high-risk populations through the end of 2023. The projects emerged from intra-country discussions and cross-country discussions led by the Vaccination Action Network (VAN), a peer-to-peer learning initiative for health leaders in sub-Saharan Africa to trade insights and refine country-wide immunization campaigns to increase uptake for Covid-19 vaccines and beyond.
Since March 2020, more than 11,000 people have died due to Covid-19 in the four countries combined. As of writing, uptake for Covid-19 vaccinations remains low, with a reported 15% of eligible Malawians having received at least one dose of vaccine, compared to 25% of the equivalent population in Kenya, 32% in Tanzania, and 40% in Uganda. Recent reports of historic backsliding on routine childhood immunizations have renewed African health leaders’ commitments to vaccine delivery as a means of disease control and pandemic prevention.
“Two and a half years into the Covid pandemic, we have to find ways to recharge the fight against this disease while rebuilding our defenses against other infectious illnesses through strengthened health systems at all levels,” said Jackson Musembi, Project Manager, Global Health Security Unit at Amref. “Through VAN, our partners in East and Southern Africa are working across borders to share shovel-ready strategies for better vaccine messaging and delivery. We are proud to offer support alongside our colleagues at The Rockefeller Foundation.”
The nine VAN sub-grantees and projects include support to:
- PanAfricare and PS Kenya to focus on priority groups (e.g., youth, the elderly, and community health workers) in Makueni, Nakuru and Turkana Counties, Kenya;
- Christian Health Association of Malawi to engage religious leaders as advocates for Covid-19 immunizations in Phalombe and Chiradzulu Districts, Malawi;
- Centre for Development Communication to design and distribute a Covid-19 prevention guides – including the benefits of vaccination – for residents of Mulanje District, Malawi;
- United Purpose to engage with village mobilizers, CHVs and community leaders to address demand side barriers for improved vaccine uptake in Dedza District, Malawi;
- Community Concern of Orphans & Development Association to initiate door-to-door immunization outreach in Njombe District and Makambo Town, Tanzania;
- Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation to launch mass media campaigns with embedded vaccination teams to complement service delivery for Covid-19 vaccinations in Kaskazin and Magharibi Districts, Tanzania;
- Makerere University School of Public Health to strengthen immunization data systems in Wakiso District, Uganda;
- Infectious Disease Institute to train community vaccination advocates in Wakiso District, Uganda.
- Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation to launch mass media campaigns with embedded vaccination teams to complement service delivery for Covid-19 vaccinations in Kaskazin and Magharibi Districts, Tanzania;
- Makerere University School of Public Health to strengthen immunization data systems in Wakiso District, Uganda;
- Infectious Disease Institute to train community vaccination advocates in Wakiso District, Uganda.
Launched in April 2022, VAN convenes representatives from African ministries of health and district health offices to fast-track solutions and adapt activities for communities where Covid-19 vaccine uptake remains low. The Network is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, with Amref providing technical assistance and disbursing subgrants for partner action projects. Dalberg and Sabin act as secretariats.
PanAfricare remains dedicated to improving the lives of communities in Kenya through its health programs. The organization is focused on providing access to essential health services, promoting healthy living, and increasing awareness about important health issues.
