Cameroon is gearing up for a large-scale vaccination campaign against poliovirus variant epidemics, targeting six regions of the country from April 23 to 26, 2026. This initiative, orchestrated by the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), aims to protect children aged 0 to 59 months from the risks of these viruses.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Public Health, Malachie Manaouda, emphasizing that this campaign is a response to the epidemics raging in the Lake Chad Basin and Nigeria since 2025. The regions concerned are Adamaoua, Centre, East, Far North, Littoral, and North. Children under five will receive two doses of vaccine directly at their homes.
This preventive action is motivated by the situation in neighboring Nigeria, where nine cases of poliovirus variants had been confirmed by March 17, 2026. Cross-border movements and geographical proximity increase the risk of importing these epidemics into Cameroon. In addition, the insufficient performance of previous vaccination campaigns in the Littoral and Centre regions justifies this intensification of measures.
Alongside the vaccination of children aged 0 to 59 months, a catch-up vaccination will be offered to children whose usual vaccination schedule is not up to date. Vaccinators will visit various public places such as markets, places of worship, chiefdoms, and homes to ensure maximum coverage. The Minister of Health calls on parents to facilitate access for vaccinators to their children.
Although Cameroon has been declared free of wild poliovirus since 2020, it remains vulnerable to outbreaks of variant polioviruses. In April 2025, a national campaign vaccinated nearly 8 million children through a close partnership with the CDC and other organizations. Vigilance and vaccination remain essential to protect young children against this disease.
