Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central Africa

The Managers of the Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Central Africa meet annually to review progress made, share experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of national immunization programmes. The 2024 annual meeting coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of...

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Main Authors: Franck Mboussou, Audry Mulumba, Celestin Traore, Martin Morand, Shalom Tchokfe Ndula, Antoinette Demian Mbailamen, Jean Claude Bizimana, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Benido Impouma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Public Health in Practice
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000473
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author Franck Mboussou
Audry Mulumba
Celestin Traore
Martin Morand
Shalom Tchokfe Ndula
Antoinette Demian Mbailamen
Jean Claude Bizimana
Charles Shey Wiysonge
Benido Impouma
author_facet Franck Mboussou
Audry Mulumba
Celestin Traore
Martin Morand
Shalom Tchokfe Ndula
Antoinette Demian Mbailamen
Jean Claude Bizimana
Charles Shey Wiysonge
Benido Impouma
author_sort Franck Mboussou
collection DOAJ
description The Managers of the Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Central Africa meet annually to review progress made, share experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of national immunization programmes. The 2024 annual meeting coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EPI. Indeed, the EPI has contributed significantly to increasing the number of vaccines included in national routine immunization schedules as well as the number of children vaccinated yearly, even though most countries are still off track towards achieving the 2030 immunization agenda targets. Disruptions of routine immunization caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased burden of zero-dose children and under-immunized children. Leaders of Gavi Alliance agencies (WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi Secretariat) called for sustained efforts to ensure universal access to routine vaccinations as the 50th anniversary of the EPI in Central Africa was celebrated. It is critical to learn from 50 years of routine immunization service delivery and pave the way toward a more effective and efficient EPI.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2666-5352
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Public Health in Practice
spelling doaj-art-5e3657f91d6c4d0db6f1d58bf078b7432025-08-20T02:06:58ZengElsevierPublic Health in Practice2666-53522025-12-011010062810.1016/j.puhip.2025.100628Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central AfricaFranck Mboussou0Audry Mulumba1Celestin Traore2Martin Morand3Shalom Tchokfe Ndula4Antoinette Demian Mbailamen5Jean Claude Bizimana6Charles Shey Wiysonge7Benido Impouma8World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Republic of the Congo; Corresponding author.Essential Immunization Programme, Ministry of Health, Democratic Republic of the CongoUNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, SenegalGavi Secretariat, SwitzerlandEssential Immunization Programme, Ministry of Health, CameroonEssential Immunization Programme, Ministry of Health, ChadEssential Immunization Programme, Ministry of Health, BurundiWorld Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Republic of the CongoWorld Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Republic of the CongoThe Managers of the Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Central Africa meet annually to review progress made, share experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of national immunization programmes. The 2024 annual meeting coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EPI. Indeed, the EPI has contributed significantly to increasing the number of vaccines included in national routine immunization schedules as well as the number of children vaccinated yearly, even though most countries are still off track towards achieving the 2030 immunization agenda targets. Disruptions of routine immunization caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased burden of zero-dose children and under-immunized children. Leaders of Gavi Alliance agencies (WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi Secretariat) called for sustained efforts to ensure universal access to routine vaccinations as the 50th anniversary of the EPI in Central Africa was celebrated. It is critical to learn from 50 years of routine immunization service delivery and pave the way toward a more effective and efficient EPI.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000473
spellingShingle Franck Mboussou
Audry Mulumba
Celestin Traore
Martin Morand
Shalom Tchokfe Ndula
Antoinette Demian Mbailamen
Jean Claude Bizimana
Charles Shey Wiysonge
Benido Impouma
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central Africa
Public Health in Practice
title Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central Africa
title_full Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central Africa
title_fullStr Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central Africa
title_full_unstemmed Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central Africa
title_short Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in Central Africa
title_sort celebrating the 50th anniversary of the essential programme on immunization and paving the way for the future of immunization in central africa
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000473
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