From August 8th to 11th, 2023, a pivotal four-day gathering brought together RAISE 4 Sahel Cameroon and members of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) from all ten regions of the country. This collaborative endeavor united immunization stakeholders, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, FAMILY CLUB, and Building Capacities for better Health (BHC) Africa, with a shared goal: a comprehensive assessment of Cameroon’s immunization performance during the period of January to June 2023.

This semi-annual review marks a critical phase within the RAISE 4 Sahel initiative, aiming to optimize resources and strategies for the second half of the year.

Supported by the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP), the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) leads the R4S project in Cameroon. CBCHS played a central role during the meeting, utilizing the platform to showcase their contributions, knowledge gains, and commitment to strengthening immunization activities across nine health districts are ready for implementation in Cameroon. Lessons learned include the fact that Zero-Dose communities are multiplied and often marginalized due to insecurity and difficult terrain (e.g., remote, and hard-to-reach communities). Also, to remove barriers to access, it is essential to work with community leaders and local populations who are accepted by armed groups, rather than with outsiders.

The integration of partner-supported initiatives into the overarching RAISE 4 Sahel work plan was a core focus, ensuring seamless alignment with other immunizations partners.