Immunising in Fragile and Conflict Settings: Challenges and Opportunities

Fragile and conflict settings are increasing due to weakened health systems following the COVID-19 pandemic and amid poly- and perma-crises. Across the twelve countries classified as fragile by Gavi, there are 1.8 million zero-dose children. These settings also tend to have low protection levels with higher drop out between DTP1 and DTP3 with over 30% of populations living more than three hours walking distance from a health facility.

This side event will shed light on what it means to work in fragile and conflict settings, the approaches that are effective in driving immunisation coverage, and how they should be tailored for maximum impact – including zero-dose children who have not been reached by routine immunisation services.

The side event will begin with breakfast, followed by a panel discussion with our esteemed guests. The discussion panel will include:

• H.E. Dr Pierre Somse, Minister of Health, Central African Republic

• H.E. Ms Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, Minister of Health South Sudan

• H.E. Dr Heitham Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister of Health, Sudan

• Mr Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

• Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO)

• Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
• Moderator: Mr Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director – Country Programmes Delivery, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance