Health Minister Malachie Manaouda and the Archbishop of Yaounde, Jean Mbarga, launched a national measles and rubella vaccination campaign at the Saint-Joseph Catholic school in Mvolye, Yaounde, on 14 October 2026.
The campaign runs from 14 to 18 October 2026 across the national territory. It targets children aged 9 months to 5 years, and children who have already been vaccinated are also invited to receive the doses set out for the operation, which is free of charge. The aim is to reach children who are under-vaccinated or have never received vaccination services.
A joint communique from the ministers of public health and basic education dated 7 September 2026 reported that 120 health districts in the ten regions were affected by measles, with 9,568 cases recorded and 18 deaths reported.
Manaouda called on mayors, media professionals, religious and traditional authorities and civil society organisations to support the mobilisation, and stressed the need for reliable information to counter rumours and vaccine hesitancy. The World Health Organization and UNICEF reaffirmed their support alongside Gavi and other technical and financial partners, covering vaccine supply, logistics, health worker training and community mobilisation. The WHO said the campaign should reach at least 95 percent vaccination coverage at all levels.
The campaign falls under the expanded programme on immunisation of the Ministry of Public Health.