Vétérinaires Sans Frontières is launching a new edition of the Vaccinate for Africa campaign, with one clear objective: fighting rabies by supporting dog vaccination campaigns in Africa. Through this initiative, we want to highlight a reality that is too often forgotten: rabies still exists, even though it can be prevented.
Rabies is a viral disease that continues to affect many parts of the world, especially in Africa. It mainly affects dogs, but it can also be transmitted to humans, most often through dog bites. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. According to the World Health Organization, around 59,000 people die from rabies every year. And yet, there is a simple and effective solution: vaccinating dogs.
In Belgium, vaccinating dogs against rabies has become a normal and routine practice. As a result, the disease has almost completely disappeared from our territory. But elsewhere, thousands of dogs are still not vaccinated and remain exposed to this deadly virus. Vaccination means protection: it prevents unnecessary suffering, stops the spread of the virus and ultimately saves lives.
Zero by 30: a world free from rabies
A global objective has been set: zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. This initiative, known as “Zero by 30”, is supported by several international organisations and relies on a clear strategy: vaccinating dogs to eliminate the disease at its source, raising awareness among communities and strengthening health systems. The tools already exist, now they must be deployed on a large scale.
Our work on the field
©Theogene Nshimiyimana
Through Vaccinate for Africa, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières organises mass dog vaccination campaigns in several African countries. On the ground, our teams and local partners vaccinate thousands of dogs every year, raise awareness about the risks of rabies and strengthen veterinary services to ensure a long-term impact.
The results already show the impact of these actions. In 2025, 252 dogs were vaccinated against rabies in Niger. In addition, 78 One Health actors from the health, livestock and environmental sectors were trained, including 12 women. Nearly 209,000 people were reached through community radio awareness campaigns, and human rabies vaccines helped provide treatment to 37 people exposed to rabies. All these actions contribute to one clear objective: zero rabies cases in both dogs and humans.
Vaccinate for Africa: together, we can make a difference
To achieve this goal, we need your support. Vaccination is an effective tool, but it must be implemented on a large scale to create lasting change. Through this campaign, everyone can contribute in a concrete way: €5 can vaccinate up to 8 dogs, while €40 can vaccinate up to 66 dogs. Every contribution matters, every vaccine protects.
Are you a veterinarian? You can get involved by creating your own fundraising page and mobilising your network.
Are you an individual supporter? You can support the campaign by making a donation.
In both cases, you directly contribute to funding vaccination campaigns in the field.
Rabies is a deadly disease, but it can be eliminated. With Vaccinate for Africa, we have the means to act. Together, we can protect dogs and put an end to rabies.