A regional workshop dedicated to the finalisation of the research protocol on the determinants of the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in the ECOWAS region (DETAMEV-ECOWAS) was held from 9 to 13 March 2026 in Conakry, Republic of Guinea.
This technical meeting, organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), brought together representatives of Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), researchers in epidemiology and socio-anthropology from several ECOWAS Member States, as well as experts from WAHO. The workshop aimed to harmonise understanding of the regional research protocol and to analyse the factors that may explain the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in the region.
The Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Guinea, Dr Abdoulaye Kaba, representing Her Excellency the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, emphasised in his opening remarks the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and prevention mechanisms for vaccine-preventable diseases. He also highlighted the importance of close collaboration among countries in the region to address shared health challenges, before officially declaring the regional workshop open.
The National Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control (DNELM), Dr Gassim Cissé, for his part, highlighted the progress made by Guinea in the field of immunisation, particularly the gradual improvement in national vaccination coverage over the past decade. However, he noted that several health crises, including the Ebola epidemic, have weakened health systems and affected the confidence of certain communities in vaccination services.
The Director General of WAHO, Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. Aïssi, in his welcome address delivered by Dr Yves Mongbo, indicated that the DETAMEV-ECOWAS study responds to a request from Member States to better understand the determinants of the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases to guide regional prevention strategies.
During the technical sessions, national delegations presented the status of vaccination coverage in their respective countries, as well as the challenges encountered in implementing immunisation programmes. Discussions highlighted issues related to the quality of vaccination data, human resources in immunisation services, difficulties in accessing certain geographical areas, and vaccine hesitancy in some communities.
Participants also emphasised the need to adopt a multidimensional approach combining quantitative and qualitative analyses, as well as a socio-anthropological perspective, to better understand the factors influencing vaccination across different national contexts.
Through the DETAMEV-ECOWAS study, Member States aim to generate robust scientific evidence to inform public health policies and strengthen vaccination strategies, thereby contributing to a sustainable reduction in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases in West Africa.
