By Felix Katyetye

Zambia’s leading vaccine experts have convened in Lusaka to review the country’s immunisation schedule, with a focus on re-evaluating the timing of measles vaccination and enhancing protection for children living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

The Zambia Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (ZITAG), in collaboration with the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), hosted the high-level meeting from 16 to 18 July at the CIDRZ head office. The meeting brought together paediatricians, epidemiologists, vaccinologists, ethicists, and other health experts to develop evidence-based recommendations that will inform the country’s national immunisation policy.

Dr. Musaku Mwenechanya, Chairperson of ZITAG and Consultant Paediatrician at the University Teaching Hospitals Children’s Hospital, said the group is urgently reassessing the current measles vaccine schedule following recent outbreaks.

“We have noticed, especially from a very recent outbreak that babies as young as six months are getting measles. This is unusual, as the current vaccine schedule starts at nine months based on the assumption that maternal antibodies offer protection until then,” said Dr. Mwenechanya. “We are now reviewing whether to recommend starting measles vaccination earlier, potentially at six months, to better protect infants.”

The meeting also placed special attention on children living with Sickle Cell Disease—a population highly vulnerable to infections. Dr. Mwenechanya stated that ZITAG is reviewing potential updates to the immunisation schedule to introduce vaccines that could reduce hospital admissions and complications in SCD patients.

“Sickle cell patients are extremely vulnerable to infections, which are the leading cause of hospital admissions among them. We are assessing if there are specific vaccines that can be introduced into the routine schedule,” he said.

CIDRZ Programme Coordinator for Primary Care and Health Systems Strengthening, Rabecca Chitundu, reaffirmed the organisation’s support to ZITAG, noting that CIDRZ has been a technical and financial partner since 2018.

“The measles working group is specifically evaluating the current Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine schedule, while the immunisation schedule working group is deliberating on strategies for children living with SCD,” said Chitundu.

The outcomes of the three-day deliberations are expected to shape Zambia’s future immunisation strategy, providing increased protection for vulnerable children and helping prevent disease outbreaks across the country.