The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports that 65 million vaccine doses were administered across 34 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) during Vaccination Week of the Americas (VWA) in 2024, marking a two-million-dose increase over the 2023 campaign.
Supported by the Canadian government, the 2024 VWA, held from April 20–27, underscored the region’s commitment to combating vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and reversing declining vaccination rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Vaccination Week has been a flagship initiative of our organization for over 20 years,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “While the Americas have historically led the way in disease elimination, vaccination coverage has significantly declined over the past decade due to factors like vaccine hesitancy and the misconception that controlled diseases no longer pose a threat.”
Key achievements
During VWA 2024, PAHO focused on expanding vaccine access, particularly among vulnerable populations such as indigenous and tribal communities in Brazil, Colombia, and Suriname. Notable achievements include:
- Influenza Vaccination: Over 30 million doses administered in 23 countries, targeting high-risk groups like healthcare workers, pregnant women, and the elderly.
- COVID-19 Vaccination: Approximately 11.5 million people immunized across 16 countries.
- Polio and Measles Vaccination: 3.8 million vaccinated against polio and 4.3 million against measles, supporting regional eradication goals.
- HPV Vaccination: 2.7 million doses administered to prevent cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among women in the region.
- Routine Immunizations: Renewed focus on vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR).
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) played a pivotal role through its Can GIVE initiative, which bolstered vaccine equity and strengthened healthcare systems. The financial support ensured access to underserved areas and expanded routine immunizations.
In 2024, the Americas marked 30 years as a polio-free region and celebrated the return of its measles-free status. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Americas was the only region to exceed pre-pandemic vaccination levels by July 2024, highlighting significant recovery progress.
However, Dr. Barbosa cautioned that disparities persist, emphasizing the need for sustained investment, adoption of innovative tools like geo-referencing to identify gaps, and strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy.
Since its inception in 2002, Vaccination Week of the Americas has reached over 1.2 billion people, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of public health in Latin America and the Caribbean.
