Conference abstract
Behind the scenes of pandemic vaccination campaigns: insights from Cameroonʼs successive COVID-19 vaccination drives
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2023:18(100).03
Oct 2023.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2023.18.100.2075
Archived on: 03 Oct 2023
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: COVID-19, vaccination, response
Oral presentation
Behind the scenes of pandemic vaccination campaigns: insights from Cameroonʼs successive COVID-19 vaccination drives
Amani Adidja1,&, Andreas Ateke Njoh1, Georges Bediang1, Georges Nguefack Tsague1
1Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences Biomédicales, Université of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroun, 2Expanded Immunization Program, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: vaccination campaigns have been critical in controlling the spread of the disease. The rollout of vaccination campaigns has been an essential component of the response to the pandemic. Cameroon implemented five successive vaccination campaigns to combat the virus but has faced numerous challenges in implementing effective COVID-19 vaccination programs. In this study, we aim to provide insights into the experiences of Cameroonʼs successive COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Methods: a retrospective study to evaluate Cameroonʼs COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. We reviewed the available literature and reports on COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in Cameroon since April 2021. We also conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of the vaccination campaigns.
Results: this study interviewed 15 key stakeholders, including healthcare providers, community leaders, and representatives of international organizations to identify success factors and challenges of successive COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. Success factors included multi-sectoral collaboration, community engagement, efficient distribution of vaccines, and adequate staffing and training of healthcare providers. However, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, low-risk perception, and limited resources were identified as significant challenges. Despite these challenges, the vaccination campaigns in Cameroon achieved coverage of 22% of the target population by April 2023.
Conclusion: the multi-sectoral collaboration and community engagement strategies employed in Cameroonʼs COVID-19 vaccination campaigns could serve as a model for other countries. However, the challenges of vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, low-risk perception, and limited resources must also be addressed to ensure effective uptake, particularly in high-risk groups. Moving forward, it is crucial to continue building on these insights to improve pandemic preparedness and response.
Behind the scenes of pandemic vaccination campaigns: insights from Cameroonʼs successive COVID-19 vaccination drives
Amani Adidja1,&, Andreas Ateke Njoh1, Georges Bediang1, Georges Nguefack Tsague1
1Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences Biomédicales, Université of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroun, 2Expanded Immunization Program, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: vaccination campaigns have been critical in controlling the spread of the disease. The rollout of vaccination campaigns has been an essential component of the response to the pandemic. Cameroon implemented five successive vaccination campaigns to combat the virus but has faced numerous challenges in implementing effective COVID-19 vaccination programs. In this study, we aim to provide insights into the experiences of Cameroonʼs successive COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Methods: a retrospective study to evaluate Cameroonʼs COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. We reviewed the available literature and reports on COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in Cameroon since April 2021. We also conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of the vaccination campaigns.
Results: this study interviewed 15 key stakeholders, including healthcare providers, community leaders, and representatives of international organizations to identify success factors and challenges of successive COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. Success factors included multi-sectoral collaboration, community engagement, efficient distribution of vaccines, and adequate staffing and training of healthcare providers. However, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, low-risk perception, and limited resources were identified as significant challenges. Despite these challenges, the vaccination campaigns in Cameroon achieved coverage of 22% of the target population by April 2023.
Conclusion: the multi-sectoral collaboration and community engagement strategies employed in Cameroonʼs COVID-19 vaccination campaigns could serve as a model for other countries. However, the challenges of vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, low-risk perception, and limited resources must also be addressed to ensure effective uptake, particularly in high-risk groups. Moving forward, it is crucial to continue building on these insights to improve pandemic preparedness and response.
