Cameroon has launched a measles vaccination campaign targeting children aged 0 to 59 months. The first phase of the intervention will run from June 18 to June 21, 2026, across nine priority health districts, before a nationwide expansion scheduled for September.
Cameroon launches a measles vaccination campaign targeting children aged 0–59 months to strengthen immunization coverage.
Cameroon has officially launched a measles vaccination campaign aimed at strengthening immunity among children under five years of age, as health authorities step up efforts to curb the circulation of one of the most contagious vaccine-preventable diseases.
The campaign targets children aged 0 to 59 months and is being implemented as part of a national response strategy designed to close immunity gaps and prevent new outbreaks across the country. Health officials emphasize that measles remain a persistent public health concern, particularly among young children who are most vulnerable to severe complications.
The intervention is structured in two distinct phases. The first phase, scheduled for June 18 to 21, 2026, will focus on nine priority health districts identified as high-risk areas. These districts include Bamenda III, Fontem, Koza, Kye-Ossi, Meri, Roua, Soa, Tibati, and Tokombere, which are distributed across several regions of the country, including the Centre, Far North, North-West, South-West, South, and Adamawa regions.
According to health authorities, the selection of these districts reflects epidemiological considerations, including vulnerability to outbreaks and gaps in routine immunization coverage. The June phase is intended to rapidly boost protection in areas where children are at higher risk of exposure.
The second phase of the campaign is planned for September 2026 and will extend vaccination activities to the entire national territory. This nationwide rollout aims to
ensure broader population coverage and reinforce herd immunity among children across all regions.
Health experts continue to stress that vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing measles infection and reducing its severe outcomes, which can include pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and death. The campaign therefore forms part of broader efforts by the country’s immunization program to reduce child mortality linked to preventable diseases.
Beyond vaccination delivery, the campaign also seeks to strengthen community awareness and encourage caregiver participation in routine immunization services. Health workers, community relays, and local authorities are expected to play a key role in mobilizing populations and ensuring that eligible children are reached during the campaign period.
By combining targeted interventions in high-risk districts with a later nationwide expansion, Cameroon aims to reinforce its control strategy against measles and improve overall vaccination coverage among children under five.
