IOM: A Model Intervention for Children in Eastern Cameroon Achieves Success in Vaccination Drive

In Cameroon's East region, a project focused on strengthening vaccination for zero-dose children and under-vaccinated populations has yielded significant results. Implemented in the Garoua-Boulaï and Ketté health districts with support from the International Organization for Migrations (IOM) and Gavi, the program successfully reached communities previously underserved by health services.

The initiative was particularly effective in an area marked by high population mobility and access challenges. It employed strategies such as mapping migration dynamics, deploying mobile and outreach teams, and enhancing community engagement to bring vaccination services closer to vulnerable populations.

An evaluation workshop in Yaoundé, led by the Ministry of Public Health's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), brought together technical, humanitarian, and institutional partners. They reviewed the project's outcomes, identified effective approaches, and discussed sustainability prospects. Participants highlighted the importance of adapting strategies to local realities to boost vaccination coverage.

For the IOM and its partners, the East region experience demonstrates that reaching unvaccinated children requires a better understanding of population movements and accessible health services. The insights gained are expected to serve as a model for extending these successful approaches to other regions facing similar challenges.