Impfprogrammförderung in der Ostafrikanischen Gemeinschaft (EAC) in Zusammenarbeit mit GAVI Alliance Support of immunization programs in the East African Community (EAC) in cooperation with GAVI Alliance III Bei dem Vorhaben handelt es sich um ein Regionalvorhaben. Das bewährte Projektkonzept zur Förderung des tansanischen Impfprogramms in Kooperation mit GAVI Alliance wird hierbei auf die Ostafrikanische Staatengemeinschaft (EAC) ausgeweitet. Das Vorhaben stellt somit eine Fortsetzung der bilateralen Beistellung zur multilateralen Organisation GAVI Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) dar. Ziel des Vorhabens ist es, zur Reduzierung der Kindersterblichkeit in der EAC beizutragen und damit die Erreichung des MDG 4 in der Region zu beschleunigen. Konkret sollen durch Impfungen schwere Atemwegs- und Durchfallerkrankungen vermieden werden, die noch immer zu den Haupttodesursachen von Kindern in der EAC zählen. Da die Krankheitslast in armen Bevölkerungsgruppen besonders hoch ist, profitieren insbesondere arme Familien von der Maßnahme. Die Reduzierung der Krankheitsfälle führt zur Entlastung der Haushalte (insbesondere der Mütter) und der Gesundheitssysteme. Das Vorhaben wird in Kooperation mit GAVI Alliance durchgeführt und unterstützt die nationalen Impfprogramme (Expanded Programmes of Immunization, EPI). Die Impfstoffe werden demnach im Rahmen der lang etablierten, nationalen Routineimpfprogramme in öffentlichen und privaten Gesundheitseinrichtungen an Neugeborene (bis zu einem Lebensjahr) verimpft. Die Umsetzung des Vorhabens über die EAC bietet den entscheidenden Vorteil einer regionalen Plattform mit großem politischem Engagement zur Koordinierung und gegenseitigen Stärkung der Impfprogramme der EAC Staaten. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt hierbei auf der Verbesserung der Versorgungskette von der Bestellung des Impfstoffs bis zur Verimpfung. Die Projektkonzeption der Vorgängervorhaben bleibt im Kern fortbestehen (Impfstoffbeschaffung über GAVI/UNICEF und Verimpfung über nationale Gesundheitssysteme) und wird regional auf die EAC ausgeweitet. Für das vorgeschlagene FZ-Vorhaben zur Unterstützung der Impfprogramme der EAC sind FZ-Haushaltsmitteln in Höhe von 20 Mio. EUR vorgesehen. The project supports immunization at the regional level in the East African Community (EAC). The project concept is based on the same principles as the immunization support program for Tanzania in cooperation with the GAVI Alliance. Thus, the project presents a continuation of the bilateral support for the multilateral organisation GAVI Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). The aim of this project is to contribute to the reduction of child mortality and to accelerate the MDG 4 achievement in this region. Diarrhea and respiratory diseases shall be prevented through immunization because these are still the main reasons for childhood mortality in the EAC. The burden of these diseases is highest among poor population groups, which is why poor families benefit the most from the intervention..The fewer the cases of diseases the smaller is the burden on households (in particular the mothers) and health systems. The project is implemented in cooperation with the GAVI Alliance and supports the national immunization programs (Expanded Programmes of Immunization, EPI).The vaccines are given to newborns (until their first year of life) in the framework of the established national routine immunization programs in public and private health centers. The implementation of the project at the EAC level has the advantage that it creates a regional platform with great political engagement to better coordinate and strengthen the immunization programs of the EAC member states.There is special focus on the improvement of the supply chain management from ordering vaccines all the way to the provision of vaccines. The principles of the concept of Phase I and II persist (procurement of vaccines through GAVI/UNICEF and implementation of the immunization program through the national health system), it will however be expanded to the EAC. The Financial Contribution of 20 million EUR is designated for the proposed support of the immunization programs of the EAC. Verminderung der Kindersterblichkeit und Krankheitslast in der EAC durch Reduzierung der durch Impfungen vermeidbaren Erkrankungen The project supports immunization at the regional level in the East African Community (EAC). The project concept is based on the same principles as the immunization support program for Tanzania in cooperation with the GAVI Alliance. Thus, the project presents a continuation of the bilateral support for the multilateral organisation GAVI Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). The aim of this project is to contribute to the reduction of child mortality and to accelerate the MDG 4 achievement in this region. Diarrhea and respiratory diseases shall be prevented through immunization because these are still the main reasons for childhood mortality in the EAC. The burden of these diseases is highest among poor population groups, which is why poor families benefit the most from the intervention..The fewer the cases of diseases the smaller is the burden on households (in particular the mothers) and health systems. The project is implemented in cooperation with the GAVI Alliance and supports the national immunization programs (Expanded Programmes of Immunization, EPI).The vaccines are given to newborns (until their first year of life) in the framework of the established national routine immunization programs in public and private health centers. The implementation of the project at the EAC level has the advantage that it creates a regional platform with great political engagement to better coordinate and strengthen the immunization programs of the EAC member states.There is special focus on the improvement of the supply chain management from ordering vaccines all the way to the provision of vaccines. The principles of the concept of Phase I and II persist (procurement of vaccines through GAVI/UNICEF and implementation of the immunization program through the national health system), it will however be expanded to the EAC. The Financial Contribution of 20 million EUR is designated for the proposed support of the immunization programs of the EAC.