Cameroon has recorded 9,568 confirmed measles cases and 18 deaths since the beginning of 2026, with outbreaks reported in 120 health districts across all 10 regions.
The figures were disclosed in a joint statement by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda, and the Minister of Basic Education, Prof. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa.
The ministers said response measures have helped improve the situation in several areas. However, the nationwide measles-rubella follow-up vaccination campaign initially scheduled for September 16–20 has been postponed to October 14–18, 2026, due to operational constraints.
With schools reopening before the new vaccination campaign, the ministers are urging parents and guardians to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated, particularly against measles and rubella.
They have specifically called for children aged 15 months and above to have received the second dose of the measles-rubella vaccine before enrolment or returning to school.
School and daycare authorities have also been instructed to check children's vaccination status and refer those with incomplete vaccinations to the nearest health facility for catch-up vaccination before the start of the school year.
The government says sufficient stocks of measles-rubella vaccines are available nationwide and that vaccination is free of charge under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
The ministers warned health workers against charging parents for EPI vaccines and urged parents to report any such demands.
They are calling on families and the education community to ensure that children catch up on missed vaccinations before schools reopen, as part of efforts to prevent further spread of measles. “Together against measles, let us vaccinate our children and protect them.”
@Laarry Times
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