Immunization is the process whereby a person is made resistant to a disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Immunization prevents diseases, disabilities, and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), such as cervical cancer, poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, paroditis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, bacterial pneumonias, rotavirus diarrheal diseases and bacterial meningitis.

Key facts

 

Your decision makes a difference. Immunization for all

PAHO Response

The Special Program Comprehensive Immunization (CIM) seeks to promote and coordinate technical cooperation and partnerships to support Member States' efforts to sustainably and equitably reduce morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) through control and elimination strategies to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of the peoples of the Americas.

For over 40 years, the success of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), or also known as the National Immunization Program in some countries, has made the Region of the Americas a global leader in the elimination and control of VPDs, such as smallpox, polio, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, measles, and neonatal tetanus. Since the creation of the EPI in 1977, countries have moved from using six vaccines in their national vaccination schemes, to an average of more than 16 vaccines, which represent greater protection for the population.

Within the framework of the resolution "Reinvigorating immunization as a public good for universal health" approved in 2021 by PAHO's governing bodies, CIM seeks to revitalize immunization programs in Member States by implementing innovative approaches and best practices through six lines of action:

  1. Strengthen governance, leadership and financing of immunization programs.
  2. Improve immunization coverage monitoring and surveillance by incorporating digital intelligence strategies into routine analysis
  3. Strengthen the integration of immunization programs into the primary health care system toward universal health
  4. Develop innovative and strategic communication approaches to build social awareness and trust in vaccines and increase access to services
  5. Strengthening human resource capacities for immunization programs
  6. Using scientific evidence to guide decision making and program delivery

 


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Immunization Agenda 2030

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Regional Immunization Action Plan for the Americas 2030

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Diseases Elimination Initiative 2030

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Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD)

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Thank you for your commitment to immunization. Discover here innovative tools to support your work.

EPI resources and immunization data

 

Performance Monitoring Tool for the National Expanded Program on Immunization

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Immunization Toolkit

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Information on vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) and corresponding vaccines

Communication and demand generation

 

misinformation guides cover

 

 

Combating false information on vaccines:

misinformation guide health workers

The document "Combating False Information on Vaccines: A Guide for Health Workers" is designed to help health workers address vaccine misinformation. It begins by defining misinformation and explaining why it spreads rapidly, often due to its emotional appeal and simplistic explanations. The guide identifies common sources of vaccine misinformation, including influential individuals who profit from spreading false information. The document outlines strategies for combating misinformation, emphasizing the importance of health workers as trusted sources. It provides tips for identifying misinformation online, such as checking URLs, dates, and author credentials, and recognizing tactics like evoking strong emotions or pushing conspiracy theories. Two main approaches to fighting misinformation are discussed: prebunking and debunking. Prebunking involves warning individuals about potential misinformation before they encounter it, while debunking aims to correct false information after it has been consumed. The guide offers practical examples for both methods. Additionally, the document highlights the role of health workers in supporting peers and patients to trust immunization. It suggests being kind, nonjudgmental, and transparent when addressing concerns, and using motivational interviewing techniques to understand and respond to patients' doubts. Overall, the guide emphasizes the critical role of health workers in maintaining trust in vaccines and provides comprehensive strategies to identify, address, and prevent the spread of vaccine misinformation in clinical and community settings. The guide is a valuable resource for health workers to enhance their ability to combat vaccine misinformation, support informed decision-making, and promote trust in vaccines within their communities, and it addresses a pressing issue with practical solutions, supports trusted health workers, and ultimately aims to protect public health by promoting accurate information and trust in vaccines.

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misinformation guide for epi managers

The document "Combating False Information on Vaccines: A Guide for EPI Managers" is designed to help Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) managers address vaccine misinformation. It begins by defining misinformation and explaining why it spreads rapidly, often due to its emotional appeal and simplistic explanations. The guide identifies common sources of vaccine misinformation, including influential individuals who profit from spreading false information. The document outlines strategies for combating misinformation, emphasizing the importance of EPI managers as trusted sources. It provides tips for identifying misinformation online, such as checking URLs, dates, and author credentials, and recognizing tactics like evoking strong emotions or pushing conspiracy theories. Two main approaches to fighting misinformation are discussed: prebunking and debunking. Prebunking involves warning individuals about potential misinformation before they encounter it, while debunking aims to correct false information after it has been consumed. The guide offers practical examples for both methods. Additionally, the document highlights the role of EPI managers in supporting health workers to trust immunization. It suggests being kind, nonjudgmental, and transparent when addressing concerns, and using motivational interviewing techniques to understand and respond to health workers' doubts. The guide also emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for health workers, promoting pro-vaccine norms, and providing continuing education on vaccines. Overall, the guide aims to help EPI managers maintain trust in vaccines and provides comprehensive strategies to identify, address, and prevent the spread of vaccine misinformation in clinical and community settings. This document is necessary to equip EPI managers with the knowledge and tools to combat vaccine misinformation, support their teams, and promote trust in vaccines, ultimately protecting public health.

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misinformation guide for rcce comms teams

False information about vaccines and vaccination – whether it is spread intentionally (known as disinformation) or not (known as misinformation) – poses a serious threat to public health in the Americas. Multiple studies have shown that exposure to vaccine-related misinformation can shake population trust in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and negatively impact individuals’ attitudes and intentions toward vaccination, even among individuals who have previously been vaccinated. Unsurprisingly, misinformation that implies vaccination causes harm and that sounds scientifically credible has shown to be more likely to deter individuals from intending to get vaccinated. Fighting back against science deniers and their misinformation is a critical part of maintaining trust in immunization and protecting populations from a variety of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Critical in this fight are understanding how and why misinformation spreads; which approaches can be employed to combat it, both before and after people have been exposed; and rebuilding trust in immunization after it has been shaken. Ministry of Health risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) teams face a daunting task in staying abreast of misinformation, so they are able to monitor it and take decisive action to combat it when needed. By collaborating at the national, district, and local levels with a variety of partners – including health workers (HW), who have been repeatedly shown to be the most trusted source of information on vaccines and vaccination – RCCE teams can use several different approaches to equip their audiences with the tools and knowledge to resist misinformation.

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misinformation guide for educators

The document "Combating False Information on Vaccines: A Guide for Educators" aims to help educators address vaccine misinformation. It begins by defining misinformation and explaining why it spreads rapidly, often due to its emotional appeal and simplistic explanations. The guide identifies common sources of vaccine misinformation, including influential individuals who profit from spreading false information. The document outlines strategies for combating misinformation, emphasizing the importance of educators as trusted sources. It provides tips for identifying misinformation online, such as checking URLs, dates, and author credentials, and recognizing tactics like evoking strong emotions or pushing conspiracy theories. Two main approaches to fighting misinformation are discussed: prebunking and debunking. Prebunking involves warning individuals about potential misinformation before they encounter it, while debunking aims to correct false information after it has been consumed. The guide offers practical examples for both methods. Additionally, the document highlights the role of educators in supporting students and their families to trust immunization. It suggests being kind, nonjudgmental, and transparent when addressing concerns, and using motivational interviewing techniques to understand and respond to students' doubts. The guide also includes lesson plan ideas and video discussion questions to help educators integrate these strategies into their classrooms. Overall, the guide emphasizes the critical role of educators in maintaining trust in vaccines and provides comprehensive strategies to identify, address, and prevent the spread of vaccine misinformation in educational settings. It provides educators with the knowledge and tools to identify and combat vaccine misinformation effectively. This is crucial as educators are trusted sources of information and can influence students and their families positively.

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misinformation guide for journalists

 

Journalists play a critical role in keeping the public up to date on information they need to be healthy, including staying current on their vaccines. Along with health workers, the media is one of the most trusted sources the public have for scientific information; journalists help shape perceptions, attitudes, and even behaviors. This document aims to support journalists, regardless of their medium, to accurately cover stories related to vaccines and vaccination. Journalists play a critical role in keeping the public up to date on information they need to be healthy, including staying current on their vaccines. Along with health workers, the media is one of the most trusted sources the public have for scientific information; journalists help shape perceptions, attitudes, and even behaviors. While misinformation about vaccination is as old as vaccines themselves, its more recent explosion, especially on social media, has caused concern for health professionals and scientists. Studies have demonstrated that even brief exposure to vaccine misinformation can negatively impact individuals’ attitudes and intentions toward vaccination, even among people who have previously been vaccinated. As vaccination coverage rates fall, populations are left exposed to deadly vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) like measles, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, tetanus, and others. Keeping people healthy and protected from VPDs requires collaboration across sectors, especially in the face of vaccine misinformation. For this reason, PAHO has created this document for media professionals covering vaccination, which covers bias and balance, norms and perceptions, and tips on other related topics, as well as additional resources for further information.

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Have you seen or heard something about vaccines online that has made you do a double take? There is no shortage of vaccine misinformation out there, from wild conspiracy theories to small pieces of the truth that have been distorted or blown out of proportion. What is true though, is that the overwhelming majority of scientists and medical experts agree that vaccines are safe and effective, and that not being vaccinated puts you and your loved ones at risk of deadly diseases that could start to make an appearance again if not enough people are vaccinated. Because even a brief exposure to misinformation about vaccines can impact a person’s decision to get vaccinated, it is important that we all do our part to stop its spread. As a content creator on social media, you can learn tips and tricks on how to spot misinformation and share them with your followers. By doing so, you will be making the world a healthier and safer place – and who does not want that?

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