The 2025 Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Managers Meeting in West Africa: A Health Systems Analysis of a Decade of Stagnating Routine Immunization Performance.

Authors

Ado Mpia Bwaka, Marcellin Mengouo Nimpa, Rija Andriamihantanirina, Alain Komi Ahawo, Daman Keita, Evanilda Santos, Desmond Maada Kangbai, Milse William Nzingou Mouhembe, Yves Medessi Armand Mongbo, Tene-Alima Essoh, Christian Tague, Criss Koba Mjumbe, Akpaka Kalu, Benido Impouma

Published in

Vaccines. Volume 14. Issue 6. Jun 02, 2026. Epub Jun 02, 2026.

Abstract

Background: The 2025 EPI Managers' Meeting for West African countries in Guinea was a critical platform for EPI managers to make an in-depth analysis of immunization programmes. We present a structured analysis of immunization status in West Africa using a WHO Health System model to move beyond descriptive reporting toward systemic analysis for actionable solutions. Methods: The meeting convened EPI managers from 14 of the 17 West African countries and partners supporting the immunization program. Country and regional presentations, immunization and surveillance data and meeting discussions were analysed through a framework identifying (1) core problems, (2) systemic barriers using WHO health systems building blocks and (3) actionable recommendations or call for action. Results: Analysis revealed stagnating immunization coverage. Recovery from COVID-19 pandemic disruptions remained limited, with persistent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). Among the five Immunization Agenda 2030 objectives assessed, only Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) elimination was on track. Four critical challenges emerged: (1) Routine immunization stagnation with DTP3 median coverage of 76%. This was associated with challenges related to poor data quality, weak implementation of innovative vaccination strategies and donor dependency, as 88.2% of countries financed less than 50% of routine vaccine costs domestically. (2) Sub-optimal progress in Big Catch-Up (BCU) implementation in some countries, revealing poor health system resilience. (3) Inability to sustain high coverage for new vaccine introductions despite significant progress, highlighting demand and service delivery gaps. (4) Persistent VPD outbreaks with geographical expansion and the resurgence of diphtheria epidemics since 2023. Conclusions: Persistent immunization challenges in West Africa appear to reflect interconnected systemic challenges, suggesting the need for a fundamental shift toward subnational strategies, integration of immunization services within primary health care (PHC) and improved data quality. Sustainable financing of the national EPI and acceleration of local vaccine manufacturing is essential to achieve immunization sovereignty in West Africa. Country Call for Action provides strategic guidance to reverse the trend toward the Immunization Agenda 2030 targets.

PMID:
42347622
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 25 Jun 2026.

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