WASHINGTON, DC– The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Saturday urged countries in the hemisphere, including the Caribbean, to work towards accelerating vaccination against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as closing coverage gaps against other vaccine-preventable diseases.
PAHO, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, said the initiatives are part of the plan to immunize an estimated 140 million people during Vaccination Week. They will be formally launched in Dominica on Monday.
The Week’s theme, which runs from April 23-30, is “Are you fully vaccinated? Get all your shots,” and calls on the entire population to review their vaccination schedules and get vaccinated to be fully protected.
“This Vaccination Week is an opportunity to improve vaccination rates against polio, measles, rubella, diphtheria, and other preventable diseases that have fallen in the last ten years,” said PAHO Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne.
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