Caribbean Leaders Rally for Immunisation Progress at 38th EPI Managers’ Meeting

Caribbean health officials gathered for the 38th Caribbean Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Managers’ Meeting, held from 28-30 October, where renewed urgency for immunisation efforts and HPV vaccine promotion took centre stage. The regional meeting, hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis, spotlighted progress and ongoing challenges in the effort to raise vaccination coverage across CARICOM Member States following setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her address, Dr Rhonda Sealy, Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), commended Caribbean health leaders for reversing the decline in vaccination rates but emphasised the need for continued momentum, particularly around HPV vaccinations. With the Caribbean grappling with vaccine hesitancy and disruptions to healthcare access, Dr Sealy highlighted the importance of the HPV programme within the broader Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, as countries move towards a one-dose schedule in line with recommendations.

Dr Sealy outlined a strategic roadmap to sustain immunisation successes, calling for strengthened political and financial commitment. “Maintaining our targets for eliminating polio, measles, and rubella requires us to achieve and sustain a 95% coverage rate,” she urged. She advocated targeted strategies to improve vaccine accessibility for children under five and reiterated the importance of training healthcare workers to address vaccine hesitancy effectively.

Dr Daniel Salas, Executive Manager of PAHO’s Special Programme on Comprehensive Immunisation, echoed Dr Sealy’s commitment to strengthening HPV vaccination in the region. “The Caribbean is known as a leader in disease elimination,” he declared. “I urge you to be the first subregion to eliminate cervical cancer and reduce the toll of preventable disease.”

The meeting also celebrated regional achievements, with Jamaica receiving the esteemed Harry Smith Award for the most improved immunisation coverage in 2023. Grenada was honoured with the inaugural Beryl Irons Award for its excellence in surveillance and immunisation achievements. Additional surveillance awards went to Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Belize, acknowledging their strides in immunisation monitoring and public health commitment.

Curtis Martin, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts and Nevis, praised PAHO’s vital support, noting, “PAHO’s technical expertise in EPI is a global best practice. The transfer of skills and knowledge has had a measurable impact on our region’s health systems.” He emphasised that “health is too big to fail,” underscoring the need for PAHO’s ongoing involvement in the Caribbean’s public health endeavours.

Dr Solange Kobi-Jackson, speaking on behalf of PAHO/WHO Representative Dr Amalia Del Riego, acknowledged the progress made in 2023, crediting committed healthcare professionals, government investment, and public trust in vaccination. However, she cautioned that maintaining immunisation gains and reestablishing the Americas at the top of the global immunisation rankings remains critical.

The meeting concluded with a workshop focused on risk communication strategies for boosting vaccine uptake, where Caribbean EPI managers shared innovative approaches to address public concerns and overcome vaccine hesitancy. Presentations from health officials from Turks & Caicos, Grenada, and Suriname offered insight into managing measles outbreaks, preparing for new vaccine rollouts, and responding to adverse events.

Chaired by Professor Peter Figueroa, Chair of the Caribbean Immunisation Technical Working Group, the meeting left participants with a sense of urgency and collective resolve. “Vaccination has averted an estimated 154 million deaths globally, and we must remain vigilant to uphold this legacy,” Professor Figueroa urged, calling on Caribbean nations to reach and maintain 95% vaccination coverage.

Under the theme “Stronger Together: Advancing Immunisation, Eliminating Disease,” the 2024 EPI Managers’ Meeting underscored a regional commitment to collaborative health efforts, aiming to build a healthier, disease-free Caribbean.