Kingston, Jamaica, 15 October 2024 (PAHO) – From 1 to 3 October, the picturesque parish of St. Ann became the center of a transformative training session on the web-based Vaccination Supplies Stock Management (wVSSM) system. The event marked a significant step forward in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of vaccine logistics nationwide.
The training, which served as both a refresher and a look at the system’s future, focused on the national level of the Family Health Unit at the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW). Key health officials reviewed the tool and conducted planning to ensure a smooth and effective experience for the regional representatives. While the MoHW has been using the wVSSM since 2015, its full potential has yet to be realized.
During the training, representatives from the four regional health authorities engaged in highly interactive sessions. These sessions featured live exercises simulating real-life scenarios, promoting practical learning across a wide range of topics, including vaccine logistics management, supply requests, shipment arrivals, dispatches, physical counting, adjustments, and the various reports that can be extracted from the system’s internal database. These tools are essential for accurately estimating vaccine requirements and maintaining the integrity of the cold chain, ensuring that vaccines arrive on time and in optimal condition for those who receive them.
Dr. Julia Rowe-Porter, Acting Director of the Family Health Unit, MOHW, emphasized that “recording and processing of stock information through the wVSSM system is not a goal in and of itself, but a way to improve decision making within the supply chain. The main task is to turn numbers into information that can be used to determine whether there is enough stock to last until the next planned shipment and prevent issues like vaccine wastage and stock-outs that can be very damaging to the immunization programme.”
The training reached over 52 participants from the MoHW, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving vaccine logistics across the country. As noted by the National Health Fund Pharmaceuticals team, “Workshops like these are invaluable in daily operations, fostering collaboration, enhancing problem-solving skills, and driving innovation within teams. The applied interactive approach provides an overview of vaccine management and creates an environment for healthcare workers to engage in hands-on activities and discussions."
Ms. Carol Smith Beharie, Senior Public Health Nurse and Parish Surveillance Coordinator from the Westmoreland Health Department, said, “I am glad I attended the wVSSM MoHW training. This was my first training session, and I’m excited and ready to work with the system in my parish. I’ve learned so much and can now navigate the platform with confidence.”
Personnel from the MoHW storage warehouse were equally enthusiastic about the activity. “We gained a wealth of knowledge from the wVSSM training,” commented Ms. Joan Morgan-Sharpe. Meanwhile, Mr. Donovan Robertson added that although the system is new, he will put the knowledge he gained into practice and train other team members so they too can use the system.
The training was organized by PAHO/WHO with funding from the Canadian Government and its CanGIVE program, a global initiative aimed at improving access to vaccines, particularly for vulnerable populations. This collaborative effort between PAHO/WHO, the MoHW, and the various health regions in Jamaica underscores the importance of teamwork in achieving public health goals.
The web-based Vaccination Supply and Stock Management system training equipped health officials with the knowledge and skills needed to manage vaccine logistics more effectively, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for the people of Jamaica.
