Pneumonia killed a child in Africa every minute when I became president of Tanzania in 2005. That’s over 1,000 children every day, despite there being a safe, effective vaccine to prevent it. Most African countries could not afford it.
Nearly 15 years ago, that started to change thanks to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The alliance, which includes implementing countries, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, civil society, and many other partners, reduced the cost of the pneumonia vaccine, enabling Tanzania and other African countries to roll it out.
Since that time, the number of African children who die from pneumonia each year has fallen by more than 60%.
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About the author
Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the former president of Tanzania, serving from 2005 to 2015. Before his presidency, he held key ministerial positions, including minister of foreign affairs; minister of finance; and minister of water, energy, and minerals from 1994 to 2005.
