What: The African Vaccination Week and the 51st Campaign on Accelerated
Reduction on Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) National Launch in
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.

When: 24-25 April 2019

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Where: Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Who: Department of Social Affairs (DSA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) in
cooperation with the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, and the
WHO Africa Regional Office (AFRO).

Objectives:

• To increase public awareness on the benefits of vaccines.
• Observe the African Vaccination Week,
• The national launch and commemoration of CARMMA Campaign in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
• Popularize the Annual Africa Immunization Week by member states as well as the AU Health Policy Documents: Africa Health Strategy (2016-2030), Maputo Plan of Action (2016-2030), Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy (2016-2025)
• Draw attention and share experiences on the immunization, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health issues amongst diverse high level state and non-state actors
• Showcase the need for continuous investment in immunization programs in Africa and celebrate country achievements in reducing maternal, newborn, child and adolescent deaths; and
• Champion for the prioritization of the African Vaccination Week, Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the Sustainable Development period, and first 10 years implementation of Africa’s transformative Agenda 2063.

Participants:

The African Vaccination Week and the 51st CARMMA national launch is organized by the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe in collaboration with the African Union Commission’s Department of Social Affairs and the WHO Africa Regional Office (AFRO). The immunization week and the national launch is expected to be attended by Officials from the AUC, AU Member States representatives, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Regional Economic Communities, Intergovernmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies, International Organizations, and Academic Institutions.

Notes to Editors:

The African Vaccination Week is in fulfilment of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization, seeks to draw attention of the commitment of African Union member states to the continuous investment in immunization programs in Africa. As part of the observation of African Vaccination Week the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is launching its national CARMMA campaign to reaffirm its commitment to the full implementation of the extended Maputo Plan of Action (MPoA) (2016-2030), and towards ensuring that all preventable maternal and child deaths end by 2030. The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe will be the 51st member of the Union to launch the CARMMA campaign.

The Campaign on Accelerated Reduction on Maternal Mortality in Africa was launched in 2009 with the theme ‘Africa cares: No woman should die while giving life’. CARMMA’s operations are derived from key priority areas enshrined in the 2005 AU Policy Framework for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa and the Maputo Plan of Action (2006). CARMMA focuses on three key areas which are public information and advocacy; encouraging achievements and strides made in some countries in reducing maternal mortality and seeking to replicate them; and intensifying actions aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality. The campaign mobilizes increased political commitment and action to reduce maternal mortality in countries with high rates.

Media Enquiry:
Mr. King David Cartey | Department of Social Affairs, African Union Commission I E-mail: CarteyD@africa-union.org