Praia, Cabo Verde – The World Health Organization (WHO) supported Cape Verde in conducting the Workshop on the Development of the National Vaccination Policy for Response to Pandemics Caused by Respiratory Pathogens, including Pandemic Influenza, held from 3 to 7 August 2026.
Organized by the Ministry of Health, through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), with support from the WHO Country Office in Cape Verde, the workshop marked an important step towards strengthening the country's preparedness for future public health emergencies and laying the foundations for a national policy to guide vaccination responses to pandemics caused by respiratory pathogens.
The opening ceremony, held on 3 August, was attended by the Minister of Health, Lúcio Fernandes; the WHO Representative in Cabo Verde, Ann Lindstrand; the UNICEF Representative in Cape Verde, David Mattern; as well as national health officials, technical experts, and partners.
In her remarks, the WHO Representative emphasized the importance of transforming the lessons learned from COVID-19 into lasting preparedness and response capacities. Lindstrand also highlighted that robust vaccination policies must be evidence-based, adapted to each country's context, and developed through participatory processes.
"Cabo Verde is well positioned to advance in this area. The country has demonstrated, over the years, a strong commitment to the Expanded Programme on Immunization and to protecting public health," said the WHO Representative. "Developing a national strategy will help consolidate this experience, formalize technical guidance, define priorities, and strengthen the sustainability of the national seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccination programme," she added.
Over four days of technical discussions, national and international experts reviewed the epidemiological situation and surveillance of respiratory infections; identified priority groups for vaccination during pandemics; defined vaccine management and supply mechanisms; and discussed key components of the future policy, including governance, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations.
Particular attention was given to vaccine management and supply, cold chain systems, and inter-island logistics, taking into account Cabo Verde's geographical specificities. Discussions also covered risk communication, community engagement, response to misinformation, data management, monitoring of vaccination coverage, and surveillance of adverse events following immunization.
The process culminated with the application of the Respiratory Pandemic Preparedness Maturity Matrix, designed to support the assessment of the country’s level of preparedness, and the drafting of the National Policy outline.
The development of this policy represents an investment in Cape Verde’s capacity to anticipate and respond more rapidly, effectively, and equitably to future respiratory threats. It will contribute to protecting the most vulnerable populations, strengthening the national health system, and enhancing the country’s health security.
