PAHO: Low Vaccination Rates Must be Addressed

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Pan American Health Organization officials are warning low vaccination coverage in many Caribbean countries must be urgently addressed to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable populations.

Out of 13 countries and territories in the region that have not yet reached the World Health Organization’s 2021 goal of 40 percent vaccination coverage, 10 are in the Caribbean.

At a press briefing earlier in the week, Director of PAHO, Dr. Carissa Etienne said, vaccine hesitancy, a lack of vaccination centers in remote areas, insufficient staff and lack of cold-chain infrastructure remain huge barriers to vaccination in many islands.

With 700 million people now vaccinated in Latin America and the Caribbean, there is data to show that vaccinations are safe and effective against COVID-19 Dr. Etienne said, but interventions must now be tailored to the needs of those that remain vulnerable in each country.