{"id":139851,"date":"2021-10-18T11:01:49","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T15:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=139851"},"modified":"2021-10-18T11:01:49","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T15:01:49","slug":"most-countries-of-the-americas-to-reach-covid-19-vaccination-target-by-end-of-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/most-countries-of-the-americas-to-reach-covid-19-vaccination-target-by-end-of-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Most countries of the Americas to reach COVID-19 vaccination target by end of year"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Carissa F. Etienne, said that while Latin America and the Caribbean is on track to reach the WHO COVID-19 vaccination target of 40% before the end of the year, six countries have yet to vaccinate 20% of their populations. The Director also introduced three possible scenarios for the future of the pandemic.<\/p>

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The PAHO Director highlighted that while the overall vaccination rate in Latin America and the Caribbean currently stands at 39%, \u201cin far too many places, coverage is much lower.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSix countries in our region have yet to reach 20% of their populations: These are Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti in the Caribbean, and Guatemala and Nicaragua in Central America,\u201d she added.<\/p>

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As more vaccine doses are making their way to the region, countries must \u201cmake the necessary preparations so these doses can be used as quickly as possible,\u201d she highlighted.<\/p>

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PAHO is working to accelerate vaccine deliveries to the Region, including COVAX-procured and donated doses. In the past few days, PAHO worked to fast-track the delivery of 1.3 million vaccine doses donated by Spain, Germany, the United States and Canada, which will be used to boost coverage in Honduras, Guyana, Argentina, and Jamaica.<\/p>\n

The organization is also preparing to receive COVAX and bilateral shipments in Jamaica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.<\/p>

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The PAHO Director called on countries to hire and train health workers to ensure vaccines can be administered quickly, and to tackle hesitancy by equipping the health workforce at all levels to answer patients\u2019 questions and help them understand the benefits of vaccines.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be effective, vaccine campaigns must also be designed around the unique needs of the population,\u201d the Director said. She cited examples from Belize, which has promoted COVID vaccines in public spaces, such as bus terminals and markets. In Bolivia, small cash transfers have helped provide an incentive for more pregnant women to get vaccinated, and in Brazil, vaccine champions have been key to encourage vaccination.<\/p>

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Dr. Etienne said that the trajectory of the pandemic remains highly uncertain but PAHO has developed three possible scenarios, which depend on the implementation of public health measures and vaccination coverage:<\/p>

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