Mbabane : Eswatini will require an estimated E739.7 million to implement its National Immunisation Strategy for the period 2026 to 2030, according to figures presented during the official launch of the National Immunization Strategy.
The strategy was launched along the Social and Behaviour Change Strategy, and the Effective Vaccine Management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), held at Mountain View on Monday.
Projections presented indicate that E661.8 million of the total budget will be allocated towards vaccine procurement, while E77.8 million will be used to cover operational costs.
Health authorities said securing the required funding would be critical to ensuring a consistent supply of vaccines, strengthening service delivery, and expanding immunisation coverage across the country.
The strategy is expected to play a key role in protecting the population against preventable diseases, while also positioning Eswatini to introduce new vaccines as they become available.
Reacting to the figures, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Khanya Mabuza said immunisation should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost.
“I don’t think immunisation is costly. To me it is investments. If we had not invested that would be very costly for the country so I fully support the budget,” he said.
The funding plan forms part of broader efforts to enhance the country’s immunisation programme and ensure that more people have access to life-saving vaccines.
The Principal Secretary who was representing the Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula stated that the country, has committed to ensure access to immunization and vaccination by providing the services free of charge in public facilities. He stated that Eswatini is one of the few countries in Africa that procures all vaccines with Government budget, making the vaccines accessible.
“Our immunization programme has been aligned with global immunization strategies, policies, and declarations,” the PS stated.
He said immunization remains one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health interventions. According to the Principal Secretary, through vaccines, millions of lives have been saved, suffering has been prevented, and healthier communities have been built. He added that however, challenges remain as there are still gaps in geographical coverage, misinformation continues to affect public confidence, and system inefficiencies can limit our impact.
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