WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched the 22nd edition of Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2024 under the slogan “Engage now to protect your future #GetVax”.

The launch ceremony was led by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, as well as other high-level health authorities and regional partners, who have been key to the success of immunisation programmes in the Americas, including the Caribbean.

“As our organisation’s flagship initiative, Vaccination Week, has been instrumental in providing vaccines to more than 1.15 billion people throughout the region,” Dr Barbosa said.

During the launch, Executive Manager of PAHO’s Special Programme for Comprehensive Immunization, Dr Daniel Salas, presented an update on vaccination coverage, which has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels.

That is why “our efforts must be directed towards recovering the performance of our regional immunisation program and maximising its effectiveness and efficiency,” Barbosa said.

During the launch, PAHO said a panel of experts – including Minister of Health and Wellness of Belize, Kevin Bernard; Minister of Health of Chile, Dr Ximena Aguilera; and Vice Minister of Collective Health Networks of the Ministry of Popular Power of Health of Venezuela, Dr Jesús Osteicochea – presented experiences, achievements and lessons learned from their countries.

The experts also reiterated their commitment to the future of the immunisation program in the Americas.

Video messages were delivered by Director of the Bureau of Health Security, Ambassador John Nkengasong and Diplomacy of the US Department of State, Dr Mary Munive and others.

During the event, PAHO said participants discussed some of the challenges and needs facing the region, including political commitment to prioritise investment and resources for essential health services, adapting the offer of vaccination programs, and designing communication strategies that facilitate access to evidence-based information.

“It is important to counteract false information regarding vaccines, and to strengthen the capacities of health professionals so they can accurately communicate about the importance and safety of vaccines to the population,” Dr Barbosa said.

PAHO said, this year, Vaccination Week in the Americas is celebrated from April 20-27 and “seeks to promote vaccines as a fundamental part of a healthy and active life”.

VWA is also a regional initiative that “aims to promote equity and access to vaccination in all countries of the Americas”.