Gabon faces concerning decline in vaccination coverage, government announces urgent measures
via Gabon Review3 min read
Gabon is experiencing a worrying decline in its vaccination coverage, a situation that exposes the country to real epidemic risks. On the occasion of African Vaccination Week, which began on April 22, 2026, the Minister of Health, Professor Elsa Nkana Joséphine Ayo Nkana Epse Bivigou, highlighted the determination of authorities to reverse this trend. The national vaccination coverage currently fluctuates between 60% and 75%, with a rate of 62% for Penta 3 in 2025, significantly below the 90% target set in the National Health Development Plan. This decline particularly affects children over one year old, leading to health vulnerabilities. The minister warned of this fragility, citing the resurgence of diphtheria in Woleu-Ntem in 2023, as well as recent cases of measles and yellow fever. Under the impetus of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, 2026 has been declared the "year of revitalizing vaccination services." The government's strategy includes generalizing the "Reach every district" approach to identify and vaccinate "zero-dose" children, especially in isolated areas. A large-scale program to modernize the cold chain will be launched with solar refrigerators, supported by partners like UNICEF and CDC Africa. The government also plans to use digital transformation for real-time vaccine stock monitoring with tools like DHIS2 and geographic information systems. New vaccines against pneumococcus, rotavirus, HPV, and malaria will be introduced, and a second dose of the mea
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