Transforming Health: Gavi's Impact on Immunization in Cameroon

In the conflict-ridden Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, years of violence have critically disrupted health care systems, leading to an alarming 60% decline in routine immunization rates. This dire situation has left less than 30% of children vaccinated, exposing thousands to preventable diseases such as measles and polio. However, a new initiative, backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and implemented by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS), is striving to reverse this trend and protect vulnerable children.

The humanitarian crisis in Cameroon has rendered approximately 40% of health facilities non-operational, forcing many healthcare workers to flee. As a result, families in these regions are increasingly hesitant to accept vaccinations, often due to deep-seated mistrust of government-led health initiatives, compounded by fear and misinformation, as explained by Dr. Eugene Foyeth, CBCHS operations manager in conflict zones. "In these regions, mistrust of government-led healthcare is deep-rooted, exacerbated by years of conflict. Many families refuse vaccination not out of disregard, but due to fear and misinformation," he stated (Foyeth, 2025).

In February 2025, Gavi allocated funding under its Zero-dose Immunization Programme (ZIP) to the CBCHS to address these challenges directly. Since its inception, ZIP has rolled out immunization programs across multiple conflict-affected countries, successfully administering 14.8 million vaccine doses to over 1.6 million unvaccinated children aged zero to five (Gavi, 2025).

The operational focus of ZIP Cameroon is to deploy mobile vaccination teams equipped with community-based tracking and outreach capabilities. This strategic approach ensures that children who have been cut off from healthcare due to instability receive their vaccinations, whether through routine or catch-up interventions. Dr. Foyeth emphasizes the program's adaptability: "Operating in conflict zones means dealing with moving, changing sets of obstacles. We utilize real-time data monitoring and maintain flexible vaccination strategies to ensure continuity of care" (Foyeth, 2025).

One of the most significant successes of the ZIP initiative has been achieving widespread community acceptance of vaccination. Community influencers, including traditional leaders and religious figures, have been engaged to foster trust and combat misinformation. Odila, a grandmother caring for four children, shared her transformative experience: "I was really impressed. My children are now protected. I am very happy" (Odila, 2025). In a short span of two months, the program has successfully vaccinated over 3,000 children, marking a promising shift in public perception towards immunization.

Health worker Humphrey from Bamenda noted, "We are witnessing a dramatic shift in attitudes toward vaccination. Before ZIP, vaccination was complicated. People didn’t trust it. Now, acceptance is growing" (Humphrey, 2025). This change is not merely anecdotal; it is rooted in a strategic and flexible approach that drives community engagement and encourages participation in health initiatives.

The broader implications of this project extend beyond immediate health interventions. By integrating routine immunization with humanitarian aid, the CBCHS is not only improving vaccination rates but also strengthening health systems and rebuilding trust in medical services. The ZIP Cameroon initiative exemplifies a blueprint for long-term health resilience in fragile contexts.

Dr. Delphine Fri, Social and Behavioral Changes Officer at CBCHS, sums up the significance of this initiative: "We are proving that even in fragile contexts, health interventions can succeed. The key is trust, consistency, and making communities feel included in the process" (Fri, 2025).

As the program continues to evolve, it highlights the importance of tailored, context-specific solutions in public health, particularly in areas afflicted by conflict. The lessons learned from ZIP Cameroon may serve as a model for similar initiatives worldwide, paving the way for improved health outcomes in some of the most vulnerable populations.