IPA Vaccines to Vaccination Workshop – Kigali, Rwanda

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February 3, 2025

The Rwanda Paediatric Association (RPA) is honored to host the IPA Vaccines to Vaccination Workshop, currently taking place at Four Points by Sheraton, Kigali, from 3^rd– 4^th for first batch (Anglophone) and from 5^th– 6^th February 2025 for the second batch (Francophone). This significant event, organized in collaboration with the International Pediatric Association (IPA) and GSK, brings together pediatricians, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and immunization experts from across Africa to strengthen vaccine introduction programs and enhance immunization coverage.

Aims of the Workshop

The Vaccines to Vaccination (V2V) Program is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to improve vaccination programs in their respective countries. Key objectives include:

To analyze global and country-specific contexts, current efforts, challenges, and future support needed to address zero-dose routine immunization and advance the zero-dose agenda.
To improve knowledge and understanding of vaccine science among health professionals, researchers, and policymakers in Anglophone Africa, Francophone, and South Asia.
To enhance the capacity of health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to contribute to the development and implementation of vaccine programs in their respective countries while also providing a platform for networking and collaboration.

Why This Matters

Rwanda has been at the forefront of immunization efforts, achieving over 95% vaccination coverage through strong leadership, digital health innovations, and community-based approaches. However, despite this success, challenges remain. According to recent reports, across Africa, the number of zero dose children rises to over 8.7 million children. Addressing this gap is crucial to preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and ensuring equitable healthcare for all.

What to Expect

Participants in this workshop are engaging in discussions on:

Vaccine science and programmatic planning.
Immunization data management and decision-making processes.
Vaccine safety monitoring and addressing vaccine hesitancy.
Collaborative strategies to improve immunization coverage across Africa.

The Rwanda Paediatric Association is proud to be part of this vital initiative and remains committed to ensuring that no child is left behind in immunization efforts.