UCT’s VACFA celebrates two decades of advancing vaccinology training in Africa

It was celebrations galore as the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Vaccines for Africa Initiative (VACFA) celebrated two decades of advancing vaccinology training and collaboration across the continent.

The anniversary is a landmark moment for the VACFA, and the unit marked this milestone by hosting the 20th Annual African Vaccinology Course (AAVC) on Sunday, 2 November. The AAVC was established in response to a need for increased African capacity in both the design and implementation of home-grown solutions to the immunisation challenges the continent faces.

Since its launch in 2005, the AAVC has trained 1 223 participants from 49 countries, and has equipped professionals from government, academia, the public and private sectors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society with the expertise needed to strengthen immunisation systems and protect communities. Course content is constantly adapted to reflect evolving realities in African vaccinology – covering topics from vaccine development and regulatory science to health system strengthening, programme delivery, and addressing misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

“Through these annual courses we have empowered a generation of African vaccinologists, healthcare workers and policy makers to make a meaningful impact in their own countries and regions,” said Professor Gregory Hussey, VACFA founder and the co-convenor of AAVC.

Building a connected community

According to Dr Edina Amponsah-Dacosta, the co-convenor of the course and an evidence-informed decision-making specialist at VACFA, beyond the classroom, the AAVC builds a connected community of practice that extends far beyond the annual programme.

“We are working towards building a strong, connected regional community of practice, a network of AAVC alumni, faculty, mentors and partners who collaborate across borders, share solutions and respond to shared challenges,” Dr Amponsah-Dacosta said.

“The AAVC is not simply a course, it is a community and a movement to amplify African voices in public health, protect the progress we have made so far.”

“The AAVC is not simply a course, it is a community and a movement to amplify African voices in public health, protect the progress we have made so far, and support those most vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.”

An effective public health tool

Vaccines remain one of the most effective public health tools and annually prevent an estimated three to five million deaths globally from diseases such as diphtheria, measles and tetanus. Yet, Africa continues to face high rates of vaccine-preventable diseases due to persistent inequities in access, limited health-system capacity, and the effects of conflict, humanitarian crises and climate-related disruptions.

According to the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), more than 500 000 African children under the age of five die every year from vaccine preventable diseases, and over 30 million fall ill. Sadly, even in urban areas like Cape Town and Johannesburg gaps in coverage persists – leaving some communities at risk of preventable outbreaks.