In a significant health achievement, 9 million vaccine doses have been administered to children in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings across the Horn of Africa. This accomplishment is part of the Reaching Every Child in Humanitarian Settings (REACH) initiative, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), in collaboration with several humanitarian organizations. The vaccines protect children against deadly diseases like measles, diphtheria, and tetanus, which remain major threats in these fragile regions.
The region, which has faced ongoing challenges such as conflict, displacement, and climate-induced droughts, has struggled to maintain consistent health access, particularly for routine immunizations. These barriers have left many communities vulnerable to outbreaks of preventable diseases. In total, there are still 21 million under-immunized children globally, with 14.5 million of them having never received any form of vaccination. Reaching these underserved communities is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases that pose both regional and global health risks.
The REACH consortium has made remarkable progress since its launch in 2022, despite the difficult conditions. Initially, only 16% of the 156 target communities were accessible to humanitarian actors. However, through strategic negotiations and humanitarian principles, the consortium has now managed to negotiate access to 96% of these areas. The success of REACH is largely due to its flexible, adaptable delivery models. Mobile clinics, community outreach units, and the use of geospatial mapping have been key in reaching areas where government health systems are ineffective or absent, often due to insecurity or crisis.
Additionally, REACH collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health and national immunization programs to ensure the transition of services back to government control when conditions permit. This model ensures sustainability and empowers local health systems to continue immunizing children even after the humanitarian crisis has subsided.
The cost of delivering vaccines in low- and middle-income countries varies significantly, ranging from less than $1 to $11 per dose. REACH, however, has managed to deliver vaccines at a highly cost-effective rate, averaging just $4 per dose. This has allowed the program to stretch its resources further, ensuring more children are protected.
The success of REACH is not just about the number of vaccines delivered; it is also about ensuring that children who missed their regular immunization schedules are caught up. Over 985,000 children aged 0-5 years have received their first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP1), putting them on track to complete their full immunization schedule. This effort is particularly important for children who missed their vaccinations due to displacement, conflict, or other barriers.
The REACH initiative has shown how critical partnerships, innovation, and humanitarian expertise can come together to achieve significant public health outcomes in the most difficult contexts. The success of this program offers a powerful model for future immunization efforts, especially in areas where access to healthcare is severely limited. By continuing these efforts, REACH is not only improving health outcomes for children in the Horn of Africa but also contributing to global health security by preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.
