Castries, St. Lucia - 22 April 2024 (PAHO) - The St. Lucian public benefitted from free health checks in Constitution Park in Castries during the official launch of Vaccination Week in the Americas 2024 under the theme ‘Engage now to protect our future’.
From April 20th to 27th, the 22nd annual Vaccination Week in the Americas is being celebrated, as well as the 13th World Immunization Week.
At the launch event, booths were erected to administer vaccines on location and provided health checks for diabetes, hypertension, mental health, and eye screening. Nurses were joined by the Environmental Health Department, the Dental Services Unit and Universal Health Coverage departments to provide counselling services and health brochures.
The opening ceremony commenced with Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belmar George, welcoming the audience and describing their presence as demonstrating a collective dedication to public health initiatives, but also contributing to the success of the week.
In her feature address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, Ms. Jenny Daniel, said the threat of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation is “undermining public trust in vaccines and putting lives at risk.”
She added: “It is incumbent upon us all to combat misinformation, build trust and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.”
Dr. Solange Kobi-Jackson, Advisor Family and Community Health, delivered remarks on behalf of PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr. Amalia Del Riego.
Our region has achieved notable health improvements through vaccinations, largely thanks to the tireless efforts of our health care providers, augured Dr. Kobi-Jackson, and stressed: “We cannot let misinformation erode these gains. Before vaccines, diseases that are now preventable were rampant, causing widespread suffering and death.”
Recalling achievements over the years, Dr. Kobi-Jackson said the WHO's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) began in 1974, followed by PAHO’s own in 1977. Immunization coverage in the Americas rose from 50% in the 1970s to over 80% by 1992, leading to the elimination of polio in 1994 — making us the first WHO region to achieve this. The elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome by 2016, and neonatal tetanus in 2017, were other milestones mentioned. National immunization programmes are recovering from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was noted, but challenges remain, including gaps in vaccine coverage, insufficient funding, and ongoing vaccine hesitancy.
EPI Manager with the Ministry, Mrs. Bernadette Felix–Regis, applauded health care workers on a recently concluded six-week vaccination campaign which immunized 600 children.
She encouraged them to “navigate the complex landscape of public health, remain steadfast in your commitment to equitable access to vaccines for all regardless of geographic, socioeconomic status or background,” reminding the public that vaccines safeguard against vaccine preventable diseases and protect those around us.
The audience also heard from PAHO/WHO Specialist, Communication for Health Promotion, Mrs. Lisa Bayley, of the launch of the communication campaign, "A Trend That Never Changes", which was developed following a two-year social marketing project in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project revealed that healthcare professionals and community leaders significantly influence vaccination behaviours and they require continuous skill-building to effectively engage the public on the importance of vaccines, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic increased vaccine hesitancy.
