Overview: Renewed political will to fight diphtheria
In Brazzaville, health leaders from eight African Member States reaffirmed their political commitment to halt the resurgence of diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease that continues to threaten vulnerable populations. The high-level advocacy meeting brought together ministers of health, senior officials, and partner organizations to outline a coordinated plan that expands vaccination coverage, strengthens surveillance, and mobilizes resources for a robust response.
Why now: the rising risk and the regional response
Diphtheria remains a public health concern in parts of Africa due to gaps in routine immunization, border mobility, and delayed outbreak detection. Officials stressed that timely immunization campaigns, booster doses where applicable, and improved laboratory capacity are essential to interrupt transmission. The gathering underscored that the disease can be controlled when immunization services are accessible, trusted, and backed by data-driven strategies across borders.
Key strategies: what commitments include
The ministers announced a multi-pronged approach to strengthen the diphtheria response, including:
- Expanding routine immunization services and targeted mass vaccination campaigns to reach high-risk areas and mobile populations.
- Enhancing disease surveillance and rapid case investigation, with real-time data sharing among neighboring countries.
- Bolstering laboratory capacity for quicker confirmation of diphtheria and differentiation from other respiratory diseases.
- Improving the vaccine cold chain, storage, and distribution to ensure vaccines reach every community safely.
- Engaging communities through risk communication, school-based programs, and trusted local health workers to counter hesitancy and misinformation.
- Securing sustainable funding and leveraging partnerships with international agencies, donors, and civil society to maintain vaccine supply and response activities.
Regional collaboration: a united front
Participants emphasized that diphtheria does not respect borders, and a coordinated regional strategy is essential. Representatives discussed harmonized surveillance indicators, mutual support for outbreak response, and shared procurement mechanisms to reduce costs and ensure timely access to vaccines. The agreement also calls for joint training exercises to strengthen frontline health workers’ ability to identify and manage cases, reducing delays in treatment and containment.
Communication and trust: engaging communities
Successful outbreak control hinges on clear, credible information and active community involvement. The ministers highlighted the need for culturally sensitive risk communication that respects local norms while delivering accurate guidance on vaccination and care seeking. Partnerships with schools, religious groups, and community leaders are seen as critical channels to improve uptake and counter misinformation that can fuel resistance to immunization programs.
Looking ahead: monitoring progress and accountability
To ensure the commitments translate into tangible outcomes, the meeting established a timeline with measurable milestones. Regular progress reviews, transparent reporting, and independent evaluations will track changes in vaccination coverage, surveillance performance, and outbreak response capacity. The focus remains on sustainable improvements that endure beyond political cycles and are adaptable to evolving epidemiological conditions.
Conclusion: renewed hope for diphtheria control
By renewing their commitments in Brazzaville, African health ministers signal a shared dedication to protecting children and communities from diphtheria. The coordinated plan aims to close immunization gaps, accelerate detection and response, and build resilient health systems capable of preventing future outbreaks. With sustained political will and strong partnerships, the continent can reduce diphtheria-related illness and deaths and move closer to a future where this disease no longer undermines public health gains.
