PAHO Director’s Message, 2010. 
Over the last seven years, Vaccination Week in the Americas has proven to be a key and unparalleled opportunity to strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization in the Region by focusing on equity, access to vaccination and Pan-Americanism.

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Vaccination Week in the Americas a key and unparalleled opportunity to strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization in the Region

[ 24 April to 1 May, 2010 ]

PAHO Director’s Message, 2010

This year, the countries and territories of the Americas will celebrate the 8th annual Vaccination Week in the Americas, from 24 April to 1 May.  

Over the last seven years, Vaccination Week in the Americas has proven to be a key and unparalleled opportunity to strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization in the Region by focusing on equity and access to vaccination and Pan Americanism.

Vaccination Week activities have resulted in the vaccination of over 288 million individuals, across the age spectrum, and in all corners of our Region. Many countries have taken advantage of this initiative to implement social communication campaigns, which have been crucial efforts to highlight the great importance of vaccination as a preventative health measure.

In 2010, countries are planning activities with a wide variety of antigens, including campaigns against Influenza A (H1N1). Under this year’s slogan of “Reaching everyone,” launching ceremonies for Vaccination Week in the Americas will occur in Nicaragua, between the United States and Mexico, between Haiti and the Dominican Republic and between Suriname and French Guiana, as well as in other areas. The event between Suriname and French Guiana will mark the first ever bi-Regional celebration, held between the Americas and Europe. All Regional launching events will count on the participation of high level authorities, including ministers of health, ambassadors and leaders of international organizations. For the first time this year, the Minister of Health of Spain will take part in the launching event between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  

The successes of Vaccination Week in the Americas have inspired other Regions of the World Health Organization to join in the effort. This year, the European Region of the World Health Organization will celebrate its 5th Immunization Week, and the Eastern Mediterranean Region is planning its first ever Vaccination Week.  We hope that other Regions will come on board in upcoming years, to realize the dream of a Global Vaccination Week in the near future.