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The Ministry of Health, through its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), has officially commenced the 2026 EPI Annual Review Meeting in Bo City, bringing together key health sector actors to assess progress and plan for improved immunization service delivery across Sierra Leone.
The three-day meeting, taking place from January 28–30, 2026, at Wizard Hall in Bo City, has attracted senior Ministry of Health officials, District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), national EPI staff, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Traditional Leaders, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and development partners.
Partners in attendance include Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF Sierra Leone, the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa CDC, ICAP, CHAI, and other stakeholders supporting immunization and public health initiatives in the country.
The annual review meeting aims to evaluate the EPI programme’s performance over the past year, identify gaps and best practices, strengthen coordination among partners, and agree on a strategic 2026 work plan to improve immunization coverage nationwide.
Discussions will focus on routine immunization, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, Mpox preparedness and response, vaccine logistics and cold chain management, vaccine safety and Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), social mobilization, and disease surveillance. Participants will also conduct district-by-district performance reviews, partner updates, and group sessions on key thematic areas to address challenges and scale up successful interventions.
Opening the meeting, health officials emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and sustained collaboration to ensure no child is left behind. They reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases through strong, resilient, and equitable immunization systems.
The 2026 EPI Annual Review Meeting is expected to conclude with actionable recommendations and renewed commitments from all stakeholders to achieve universal immunization coverage and improve child survival and public health outcomes across Sierra Leone.
