By Zaya Williams

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported that Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis surpassed their 2019 vaccination coverage levels in 2023.

In recognition of this achievement, PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa has sent letters of appreciation to Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda and Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Dr. Barbosa praised the countries for their “encouraging results in routine immunization coverage obtained in the last year,” as detailed in the joint WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC).

He emphasized, “The implementation of solid vaccination programs unequivocally represents one of the noblest commitments to the population, especially children: protecting their health and ensuring that the economy, labour, and education, among other areas, are not held back by vaccine-preventable diseases and epidemics.”

Dr. Barbosa reminded both nations that “it is necessary to continue making progress in order to return the Region of the Americas to the top of the global ranking in immunization coverage, maintain our achievements, and advance in the strategy to eliminate communicable diseases.”

He highlighted the importance of ensuring good coverage across all areas and using internal analysis to identify population groups with the lowest vaccination uptake and compliance.

Dr. Barbosa noted that PAHO/WHO provides technical cooperation with innovative strategies to address these challenges and barriers to vaccination access.

Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, expressed pride in the accomplishments of the two Caribbean nations. She commended the dedication of health professionals in the region and reaffirmed PAHO’s commitment to “continue its mandate of strengthening and supporting vaccination programmes.”