The University of Cape Town (UCT), in partnership with the Vaccines for Africa Initiative (VACFA), will celebrate 20 years of its Annual African Vaccinology Course on Sunday 2 November. This African Vaccinology Course is an important educational milestone.
A gala dinner at Lagoon Beach Hotel, Milnerton, will mark the milestone at 18:00, UCT said in a statement.
The course, the only one of its kind in Africa, was created to meet the continent’s urgent need for skilled vaccinologists. It also aims to strengthen vaccine programme implementation. Since its launch in 2005, the African Vaccinology Course has trained hundreds of health professionals, researchers, and policymakers from across Africa, according to VACFA.
Under the theme “Building vaccinology expertise in Africa,” the anniversary celebration will highlight the course’s impact on immunisation programmes, policy development, and regional collaboration. This African Vaccinology Course has made significant contributions in these areas.
Participants gain insight into the challenges of vaccine delivery. They also learn about the role of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) and opportunities to foster cross-continental partnerships, UCT said.
“Vaccinology expertise is critical for Africa to respond to infectious diseases,” a UCT spokesperson said. “This course has equipped a generation of African scientists and public health professionals to strengthen vaccination policies and programmes.”
The gala will also showcase the legacy of the African Vaccinology Course, emphasising its role in building a continent-wide community of vaccinology experts and promoting sustainable immunisation initiatives, VACFA said.
