Expanded Program on Immunization

As part of the 300 Days of Activism for Zero-Dose and Missed Children, we are committed to reaching every child with life-saving vaccines. No distance is too great, and no community is too hard to reach. Together, we are taking immunization to the last mile, ensuring that no child is left behind and every child is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF Sierra Leone, and World Health Organization (WHO)

Meet Sr. Margaret Kangbai, EPI Focal Person, who reminds us that “Vaccination is the most cost-effective public health intervention.”

This simple statement reflects why we do what we do every day.

Vaccines protect children from life-threatening diseases, reduce the burden on families and health systems, and help communities thrive. Every child vaccinated is one more child protected.

Together, we can ensure that every child receives lifesaving vaccines on time.

As part of the 300 Days of Activism for Zero-Dose and Missed Children, caregivers are reminded to always check the return date recorded in the Under-5 Card and MCH Handbook after every vaccination visit. Keeping track of the next appointment ensures children receive all vaccines on time, protecting them from vaccine-preventable diseases. Every visit counts,don't miss the next one!

Building stronger communities, one health worker at a time. 💉

From 22–23 June, DHMT staff in Kambia District received training on malaria vaccination and community engagement. This was followed by cascade training from 25–27 June, where 351 Community Health Workers were trained through the Last Mile Health

Implemented by the EPI Programme in collaboration with the CHW Hub, Health Education Programme, and Malaria Programme, the training equipped CHWs to identify malaria vaccine defaulters, refer them for vaccination, and follow up with caregivers to ensure children receive their vaccines on time.

Every trained CHW strengthens our efforts to reach every child, protect every community, and move closer to achieving zero-dose children through the .

Building stronger immunization systems, one health worker at a time. 💉

Following the successful national Training of Trainers held from 16–19 June, our facilitators have now been deployed across the 16 districts to support the cascade training of DHMT staff and Chiefdom Supervisors on Immunization in Practice (IIP) and Reaching Every Child (REC) from the 22-25 June.

These trainings are helping to strengthen the knowledge and skills of service providers, ensuring that key immunization strategies are understood and implemented at every level of the health system.

As we continue the 300 Days of Activism to Reach Zero-Dose Children, this training serves as an important reminder of the role each service provider plays in identifying, reaching, and vaccinating every eligible child.

Our goal remains the same, to ensure that no child is left behind and that every community has access to lifesaving vaccines.

Life gets busy, and it’s okay if your child missed a vaccine appointment.

Don’t wait, visit your nearest health facility today. EPI health workers are ready to help your child catch up.

No blame. No judgment. Just protection for every child.

A new article published in BMC Public Health highlights Sierra Leone’s experience with COVID-19 vaccination and the introduction of the HPV vaccine.

The study shares important lessons on how immunization programs can be strengthened and how countries can better prepare for future health emergencies, using real experiences from Sierra Leone.
We are proud to share that our EPI Program Manager, Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai, is the lead author of this important work contributing to global health knowledge.

Full article:https://www.theigc.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/Scaling-bundled-health-services%20-in-rural-Sierra-Leone-SLE-24143.pdf

Protect Your Child!
Malaria Vaccine gives stronger protection with every dose.

The malaria vaccine prevents severe malaria.

Take your child to the nearest health facility for each malaria vaccine dose. Completion of the dose ensures improved immunity and providing stronger protection against malaria.

Every dose matters!!

Protect your child by completing the full immunization schedule, including MR2 and Malaria Vaccine Dose 4.

Visit the nearest health facility to catch up on missed vaccines.

📢 New Publication Alert!

We are proud to share a new publication, "The 2025 Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Managers Meeting in West Africa: A Health Systems Analysis of a Decade of Stagnating Routine Immunization Performance."

The report features the contributions of Sierra Leone's EPI Program Manager, Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai, and highlights critical insights on the state of immunization across West Africa.

The publication explores challenges affecting routine immunization, lessons learned following the COVID-19 pandemic, and practical recommendations to strengthen health systems and ensure every child is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

This recognition reflects Sierra Leone's continued commitment to advancing immunization and contributing to regional efforts to improve child health outcomes.

📖 Read the publication here: https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/vaccines/vaccines-14-00501/article_deploy/vaccines-14-00501.pdf?version=1780404273

mdpi-res.com