Knowledge and observance of vaccination norms and standards among vaccine managers in an urban health district of Yaoundé, Cameroon, during the COVID-19 pandemic

Annual reports have indicated a progressive decline in immunization coverage in Yaoundé. This study aimed to identify knowledge gaps and organizational deficiencies in the implementation of routine immunization in health facilities (HFs) in the Efoulan health district (HD) of Yaoundé. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Efoulan, an urban HD of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, in May 2022. A self-administered questionnaire and an observation grid were used to collect knowledge-related data. A total of 46 healthcare workers (HCWs) providing vaccinations in the nine health areas of the HD were enrolled in the study. Almost all participants (93.5%) were unable to name all the diseases that the pentavalent vaccine protects against. More than half of the respondents (59%) were aware of the 15-month booster dose of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine included in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Half of the respondents were aware of the type of antigen contained in the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine (52%). More than two-thirds of the respondents (72%) had not identified the 6-month MR vaccine as recommended for HIV-positive children. Almost all the respondents (87%) had poor knowledge of vaccination norms and standards. Most of the visited HFs did not follow the monthly EPI monitoring curve (87%), did not store vaccines according to standards (80%), or lacked an EPI case reporting form (93%). There are still significant deficiencies in the implementation of routine immunization in most HFs in Efoulan HD, which correlate with the staff’s lack of knowledge of EPI norms and standards. Strengthening the capacity of HCWs through ongoing training and supervision is necessary.