Monrovia ‒ By the end of 2022 Liberia’s COVID-19 vaccination rate was among the top three in Africa, at 81%. The country had also, at the height of the pandemic, introduced two new vaccines, immunizing more than 1.8 million children against polio and nearly 400 000 against typhoid.

The government, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and other stakeholders, worked to enhance coordination and support for COVID-19 vaccine uptake from the onset of the pandemic, with the Organization taking responsibility for six counties, representing 70% of the total population. That number increased to seven by the end of 2022, when WHO added Margibi at the request of the government, due to lower uptake rates.

“These achievements reflect a nation that rises above its challenges.” Dr Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health, Liberia 

WHO supported a range of country interventions, guiding the development of strategies and setting performance targets for vaccination activities, helping take Liberia over the 80% vaccine coverage target. More recently, however, as the pandemic wound down, the focus moved to integrating COVID-19 vaccines into routine immunization.

Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr Wilhelmina Jallah, says Liberia is proud of its successes, including introducing new vaccines during the pandemic, and now integrating COVID-19 vaccines into routine immunization. “These achievements reflect a nation that rises above its challenges,” she adds.

From July 2023, WHO, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), extended comprehensive support to integrate COVID-19 vaccines into routine immunization and primary health services in 14 of the country’s 15 counties. Interventions included expanding the cold chain system; providing integration tools such as ledgers and microplanning booklets for health facilities; offering logistical support for vaccine transportation; supplying printers, cartridges and generators for on-site printing of vaccination certificates; and paying stipends to vaccinators.

"This COVID-19 vaccination integration success showcases the value and efficacy of the model, serving as an example for other countries. By restoring essential immunization coverage and strengthening primary health care, we can protect vulnerable populations from vaccine-preventable diseases, enabling them to lead happier and healthier lives," says Dr Clement Peter, WHO Representative in Liberia.

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