Jamaica and Grenada were celebrated for their outstanding achievements in immunization during the 38th Caribbean Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Managers’ meeting, held from October 28-30 in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Jamaica was awarded the Henry C. Smith Award for Most Improved Immunization Coverage in 2023, while Grenada received the inaugural Beryl Irons Award for meeting its surveillance targets in 2024 and making significant strides in immunization coverage in 2023.
The meeting, which focused on strengthening immunization programs across the Caribbean, also acknowledged other countries for their excellence in disease surveillance. Barbados claimed first place, followed by St. Kitts and Nevis in second, and Belize in third. These countries were recognized for their diligent monitoring and reporting of infectious diseases in their regions.
Dr. Julia Rowe-Porter, Jamaica’s EPI Manager, expressed her pride in the country’s achievement, highlighting the collective effort of the immunization team at all levels. “This award is a reflection of our team’s hard work and commitment to achieving our goal of 95% vaccination coverage,” she said. “While we’ve made a remarkable recovery post-pandemic, we are still tackling challenges like vaccine hesitancy, and we remain grateful for the support of our partners, especially the Pan American Health Organization.”
Hannah St. Paul, Grenada’s EPI Manager, shared similar sentiments, praising the dedication of her team. “This award would not have been possible without the relentless efforts of our EPI team, along with the unwavering support from our Ministry of Health,” she said.
Under the theme “Stronger Together: Advancing Immunisation, Eliminating Disease,” the meeting concluded with a communications workshop to discuss the importance of public engagement in immunization programs. Dr. Karen Broome, PAHO’s Immunization Advisor, emphasized the significant progress made in building trust with the public. “We are seeing the results of our investments in risk communication and community engagement, especially in reaching the most vulnerable populations. Rebuilding trust is a gradual process, and we must continue to be patient and effective in our messaging,” she explained.
Dr. Rhonda Sealy, PAHO’s Assistant Director, commended the Caribbean region for its improvements in vaccination coverage. “In 2022, Polio 3 coverage increased from 90% to 93%, and we nearly achieved the global target of 95% in 2023, reaching 94%. This progress, along with gains in MMR vaccinations, reflects the hard work of our EPI teams and the strong support from health ministers,” Dr. Sealy stated.
The meeting also spotlighted the importance of expanding HPV vaccination efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in the Caribbean. Professor Peter Figueroa, Chair of the Caribbean Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (CiTAG), called for greater efforts in increasing HPV vaccine coverage and testing. He also advocated for prioritizing digital health solutions, the creation of supportive legislation, and improved funding for EPI programs to ensure their sustainability.
The recognition of Jamaica, Grenada, and other countries at the meeting highlighted the continued commitment to improving public health in the Caribbean, as nations work together to strengthen their immunization efforts and eliminate preventable diseases across the region.
