Cameroon has completed a nationwide vaccination campaign against measles and rubella, with 5.7 million children vaccinated. According to Dr. Shalom Tchokfe, Secretary General of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, the campaign aimed to boost immunity against the two diseases. The programme conducted an independent monitoring exercise to assess the coverage and identify areas that were not adequately covered. This exercise is crucial in ensuring that no zone is left behind in the vaccination efforts.
The monitoring exercise revealed that about 100 localities, mainly in Douala and Yaoundé, had poor coverage. In these areas, some 20% of children were found to be unvaccinated. For instance, in a village of 10 children, if three are not vaccinated, the area is considered under-covered. The main reasons for the low coverage include 33% of parents not being informed, 32% of children being absent during the vaccination campaign, and 16% of parents refusing the vaccination.
The under-covered areas often have a high concentration of children without birth certificates and those who are not enrolled in school. The programme is now focusing on these areas to improve vaccination coverage. Dr. Tchokfe stated that the objective of the independent monitoring is to identify these pockets of under-coverage and take targeted actions. If a child was absent during the campaign, the team returns when the child is present. If there was a lack of information, the team provides education.
A total of 102,805 children in 2,000 localities suspected to have low coverage were surveyed. Of these, 3,219 children were found to be unvaccinated, representing 3.3% of the sample. While this is below the 5% threshold, indicating good national coverage, there are disparities at the district, health area, and locality levels. In some areas, up to half of the children were not vaccinated.
The programme will adopt a more integrated approach in the under-covered areas, not only focusing on vaccination but also on providing other health and social services. This includes birth registration and education. The goal is to ensure that all children have access to essential health services. The programme will engage with local communities to address concerns and provide accurate information.
For future campaigns, the programme will take into account the lessons learned from this exercise. The focus will be on improving communication and increasing access to vaccination services. Dr. Tchokfe emphasized that routine vaccination is crucial in preventing the spread of diseases. The programme will continue to work to ensure that all children in Cameroon are protected against measles and rubella.
The successful implementation of the vaccination campaign is a collaborative effort between the government, health workers, and local communities. The programme encourages parents to support vaccination efforts and ensure that their children receive the necessary protection against preventable diseases. By working together, Cameroon aims to make significant progress in reducing the incidence of measles and rubella.
Key points
- 5.7 million children vaccinated against measles and rubella.
- 3.3% of children surveyed were unvaccinated.
- Programme to focus on under-covered areas to improve vaccination coverage.
