Africa CDC, PSI sign MoU to expand access to immunization

By Precious Mark

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Population Services International (PSI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand access to immunization and integrated primary healthcare services across the continent.

The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa by Africa CDC Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, and PSI President, Michael Holscher.

The collaboration will focus on innovative preventive healthcare strategies, including pharmacy-based immunization delivery, public-private partnerships, health workforce integration, evidence generation, and knowledge exchange.

The joint effort comes as African nations work to address persistent coverage gaps in essential health services. More than seven million children on the continent remain completely unvaccinated with routine vaccines, while an additional 3.3 million started but failed to complete their vaccination schedules.

Dr. Kaseya emphasized that Africa’s health security relies on ensuring that every individual can access life-saving preventive care, noting that the partnership with PSI will bring primary healthcare services closer to local communities while strengthening national health systems.

The initiative aligns with the Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023–2027, which prioritizes expanded access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, alongside stronger institutions and workforce development.

Under the terms of the MoU, both organizations will engage with ministries of health, share implementation evidence, and develop platforms to showcase best practices across African Union Member States.

A key objective is the advancement of Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery (PBID) models. By integrating trained pharmacists and healthcare personnel into national delivery systems, the initiative seeks to utilize community-based platforms to increase routine immunization coverage.

As the technical lead and implementing partner for the PBID framework, PSI will manage program design, research, digital innovation, workforce training, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring.

Africa CDC will provide strategic guidance, regional coordination, and high-level policy advocacy to facilitate implementation.

Mr. Holscher affirmed that no individual should miss out on essential immunizations due to accessibility barriers, adding that PSI will work closely with African governments to deploy locally-led solutions. Technical working groups will also be established to monitor progress and address operational priorities.