Nurse Shevel Seaman conducting a one-on-one immunization session. Photo credit John Christian, Ministry of Health.
Roseau, Dominica, 2 May 2023 (PAHO) – The observance of Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) in Dominica commenced with an address by the Hon. Cassanni Laville, Minister of Health, Wellness and Social Services on the 24 April.
“In recognizing the importance of vaccination, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) became one of the flagship health programs in Dominica. The EPI program offers vaccines free of charge throughout the course of one’s life. “
Minister Laville was pleased to report that the HPV vaccine had one of the highest introduction coverages in the region reaching approximately ninety-two percent (92%) of all adolescents. With this and other achievements during the last decade he said that the National Immunization Programs have suffered setbacks in several areas including a decrease in vaccine coverage, inadequate long term sustainable financing for immunization and increasing vaccine hesitancy linked in part to fake news.
“As a nation and as the Ministry of Health we are committed to recovering our gains, we have been implementing several strategies with the support of our devoted partner the Pan American Health Organization. This includes the introduction of the electronic immunization registry, which will allow for updated information to be used for decision making and facilitate monitoring, coverage, and defaulters,” he said. Strengthening of community outreach activities including the establishment of vaccine animators, augmented communication campaigns using traditional and non-traditional means were also cited as some of the strategies being used.
In time for VWA a video to promote Dominica’s vaccination program was rolled out, it was produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, PAHO and the Government of Canada.
On 28 April, a clinic for defaulters took place at the Olivia Douglas Health and Wellness Centre. Similar vaccination awareness and outreach activities also took place during the week in the St. Joseph, La Plaine, Roseau, and Castle Bruce Health Districts.
