Cameroon’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie on March 13, 2026 presided over the first ordinary session of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (IACC) in Yaounde.
This strategic meeting brought together international partners, including the WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI, to validate the 2026 Annual Work Plan and review the financial commitments necessary for vaccine procurement. The session emphasized a shift toward more equitable access, ensuring that the progress made in the previous year translates into sustainable health outcomes for children across all ten regions of the country.
The review of the previous year highlighted significant modernization of Cameroon’s medical cold chain and logistical infrastructure. Key achievements included the deployment of over 1,800 solar refrigerators to peripheral health centers and the expansion of the refrigerated truck fleet to enhance the transportation of heat-sensitive vaccines.
These technical upgrades have increased the proportion of health facilities with adequate storage equipment to 82%, a crucial step in maintaining vaccine potency and reaching “zero-dose” children in remote or underserved areas.
Looking forward, the Ministry has identified several critical milestones for 2026, including two major national health campaigns. A follow-up campaign against measles and rubella is scheduled for September, followed by a targeted effort in October to provide catch-up vaccinations against cervical cancer for adolescent girls.
Beyond these specific events, the government is focusing on integrating gender-sensitive strategies and transitioning to the new GAVI Alliance strategy to ensure that vaccination remains a resilient pillar of the national health system.
The Minister concluded the session by praising the diversification of international partnerships, such as the donation of three million vaccine doses from the Brazilian government, which bolstered the system during logistical challenges.
The creation of a new network of parliamentarians dedicated to vaccination advocacy was also highlighted as a vital move toward securing long-term domestic funding. By aligning technical expertise with political will, Cameroon aims to ensure that every child, regardless of their location, is protected by a reliable and accessible immunization framework throughout the coming year.
