Vaccination Week in the Americas Press Conference - Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO’s Director Remarks - 24 April 2025

Washington, DC

As prepared for delivery

Good morning, and welcome to today’s briefing on the state of vaccination in our region, as we celebrate a new edition of Vaccination Week in the Americas.

From Saturday, April 26^th to May 3^rd, countries across our Region will deliver 66.5 million doses of life-saving vaccines to give people a better chance of living healthy, productive lives.

For over 23 years, this initiative has been a cornerstone of public health in the Americas, catalyzing the immunization of 1.2 billion people.

With the theme “Your decision makes a difference,” countries this year will carry out critical vaccination drives to prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases and keep each one of us, our families, and our communities, safe.

Brazil, for example, will include the week as part of their Indigenous Peoples Vaccination Month, boosting immunization in priority indigenous communities. Colombia will hold a national nighttime vaccination campaign, and Guatemala plans to launch a guide on HPV vaccination in the Mayan language, to promote the vaccine among this community and address their concerns. The regional launch will be held this Monday in Panama, and a subregional launch will also be celebrated in the Caribbean.

Over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved 154 million lives around the world and, in the Americas, reduced infant mortality by 41 percent.

These are not just statistics – they represent healthier lives, stronger healthcare systems and more resilient societies.

The Opportunity: Elimination of Vaccine-preventable Diseases

Why is it so important to highlight this initiative today? Because the Americas has a legacy of leadership in vaccination. We were the first region worldwide to eliminate smallpox in 1974 and polio in 1994.

We have also eliminated measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, maternal and neonatal tetanus, and outbreaks of urban yellow fever.

And we are now leading the way once again.

In 2023, we relaunched our Disease Elimination Initiative, a bold commitment to end, and maintain, the elimination of more than 30 diseases and related conditions by 2030, 11 of which are vaccine-preventable.

Improving Measles Coverage

Still, our progress against vaccine-preventable diseases needs a strong and lasting commitment to implement the appropriate public health measures.

Right now, our Region is grappling with outbreaks of measles, one of the most contagious diseases in the world that primarily affects children.

Countries of the Americas have struggled to sustain the recommended 95% coverage of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, which leaves us susceptible to imported cases.

According to the WHO, confirmed global measles cases exceeded 359,000 in 2024. In the Americas, gaps in vaccination coverage have led to localized outbreaks across six countries. So far this year, 2,313 people caught measles, compared to just 215 during the same period of 2024. Three people have died and another death is under investigation, highlighting the need to urgently address immunization gaps.

During vaccination week this year, countries plan to administer an incredible 2.7 million doses of measle- containing vaccine. When combined with microplanning, which shows us exactly where the gaps exist, right down to community level, these efforts will help us stop the virus in its tracks.

But our work in immunization does not end with Vaccination Week.

As part of the Elimination Initiative, PAHO is also working with countries to harness the power of vaccination and put a stop to cervical cancer, which takes the lives of over 40,000 women in the Americas each year. Cervical Cancer can be fully prevented with the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV).

With sustained political commitment, and combining high HPV vaccine coverage with new diagnostics, and treatment for HPV lesions, we hope to become the first Region of the world to eliminate a cancer.

Strengthening Routine Immunizations

At PAHO, we are also committed to working closely with countries in the Region to address vaccine hesitancy and improve routine immunization programs, including by leveraging new digital tools. From Electronic Immunization Registries to Geographic Information Systems, these innovations help us monitor coverage, identify gaps, target vaccination campaigns to where they are most needed, and respond to outbreaks more effectively.

Our work to expand access helps make the decision to get vaccinated an easier one by bringing vaccines closer to those that need them – including at primary health care centers, mobile clinics, homes and schools.

Ensuring feasible access to vaccines in every country and territory is also crucial, and the PAHO Revolving Fund, our regional pooled procurement mechanism, is doing just that - providing low-cost, high-quality vaccines at an affordable price to the Region’s countries. Without the Fund, countries would pay at least 75% more for the Region’s 13 most common vaccines. Other regions like Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean requested our support in establishing similar pooled procurement mechanisms for these outstanding achievements in the Americas.

This year, the Revolving Fund included some of the most cutting-edge vaccines, such as the nine-valent vaccine against HPV and the 20-valent Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. It continues to work with manufacturers to expand its portfolio, and is also supporting the development of regional vaccine production through tech transfer projects like the recent agreement between PAHO, the Government of Argentina, Pfizer, and Sinergium on the PCV 20 vaccine.

The Region of the Americas is ours to protect. But while we continue to forge our path as a world-leader in vaccination, recent outbreaks have proven how critical it is to maintain high levels of coverage to achieve and preserve elimination.

By working together, throughout vaccination week and beyond, we can build a stronger, safer, and healthier Americas.

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa