April 2023 — As we transition from the vertical COVID-19 vaccination to integrating COVID-19 vaccination into routine immunization, UNICEF ESARO in collaboration with the African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP) convened an interfaith virtual consultation meeting on immunization on 28 February 2023. This consultation is a follow-up event to the Faith and Science in Conversation Conference on the Faith and Technical/Scientific Response to COVID-19 in Africa held in March 2021. Around 40 multi-faith religious leaders, theologian scholars, civil society organizations and technical experts from 9 African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) participated in the consultation to promote the take-up of COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunizations for children across the Eastern and Southern Africa region. 

Specialists from UNICEF and WHO provided the current regional situation analysis on COVID-19 uptake, routine immunization and maternal, neonatal and children health (MNCH), and discussed how faith leaders could support demand for vaccination and essential health services. The ACRL-RfP also highlighted the vital role faith communities play in tackling health emergencies such as COVID-19, Measles, Polio and Ebola and particularly how they can identify solutions to address the needs of communities across the region, including those with high numbers of zero-dose and partially vaccinated children.

UNICEF and ACRL-RfP agreed that more work needs to be done to ensure religious leaders gain further knowledge about vaccination and to build trust in the community. Given the amount of digitally generated disinformation and rumour, it is also important to ensure accurate information on vaccinations on social media channels going forward.