Opinion: Here’s what today’s African vaccine accelerator launch means
News this month of the death of the first person with laboratory-confirmed H5N2 bird flu and the continued spread of H5N1 bird flu in animal populations serve as unwelcome reminders that new infectious risks are an unavoidable fact of life.
The question is always when and where — never if — a new outbreak will raise its head. As leaders committed to global health and sustainable development, we are only too aware of the devastating impacts that infectious disease outbreaks can have on the health, well-being, and prosperity of every community, but particularly the most vulnerable.
The continuing negotiations on the adoption of an international pandemic accord are crucial. In addition, it is critical that we keep on taking concrete steps — as countries, institutions, and multilateral organizations — to strengthen the way we prepare for, prevent, and respond to outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
About the authors
Dr. Jean Kaseya
Dr. Jean Kaseya is a Congolese medical doctor and director-general of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. He began his career as a community-based physician and went on to hold senior roles at the national, regional, and global levels, including serving as a senior adviser to former DRC President Laurent-Désiré Kabila at the ministerial level. He has worked across the public and private sectors, including with UNICEF, Gavi, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the World Health Organization. As DG of Africa CDC, Kaseya is leading the institution’s transformation into a continental public health authority, advancing Africa’s health security and sovereignty.
Dr. Sania Nishtar
Dr. Sania Nishtar is the CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. With over three decades of leadership at the national and global levels, Dr. Nishtar has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for health equity and an innovative thinker when it comes to solving complex challenges.
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou is a medical doctor. In May 2022, she was appointed minister of state for development, Francophonie and international partnerships of the French Republic, attached to the minister for europe and foreign affairs.
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