Data-Driven Workshop sets the stage for a better future for immunization in Jamaica

workshop group photo

Kingston, Jamaica, 22 January 2025 (PAHO) – During a recent workshop coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 30 Jamaican health professionals learned strategies to utilize immunization data to strengthen the country’s main vaccination program, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Their enhanced capacity will have a lasting impact on immunization in Jamaica.

The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) with support from PAHO and the project team for USAID Data.FI, a global initiative to aid countries in fortifying their health information systems, with UNICEF participation. It was financially supported by the Government of Canada’s CanGIVE initiative, a program designed to increase access to vaccination for vulnerable populations worldwide.

As the official launch of the EPI’s data use strategy, the event is a follow-up initiative to support the implementation of the EPI Monitoring and Evaluation Framework that Data.FI, under the leadership of the MoHW and in collaboration with PAHO and UNICEF, collated in the first half of 2024. The workshop brought together health professionals and key stakeholders involved in Jamaica’s program to develop an electronic immunization registry (EIR) for the digital collection of immunization data. Key participants came from the Mocho and Montego Bay Health Centers, which are among the selected sites for the EIR pilot project.

Participants in the workshop engaged in hands-on exercises and practical sessions focused on data analysis, visualization, and action planning. These activities enabled them to apply theoretical concepts to real-life scenarios. A significant achievement of the workshop was the development of an initial EPI dashboard prototype, designed to facilitate the tracking of key indicators and measure progress against goals. In addition, participants noted that the workshop gave them a solid foundation for fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making within Jamaica's immunization program.

The workshop is one component of the broader Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, a plan aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of immunization data, enabling informed decision-making at all levels. This plan and its implementation strategy align with the overall goal of delivering quality health information and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of health systems. The long-term objective of the plan includes achieving 95 percent childhood vaccination coverage.

During 2025, initiatives such as the workshop will continue to ensure that data-driven decision-making becomes an established routine for enhanced immunization services. In addition, PAHO and Canada will continue to collaborate to improve access to COVID-19 and routine vaccines for vulnerable people in Jamaica