“The Region is moving with precision because of our collective actions. We take great pride in our legacy. The Americas was the first Region in the world to eliminate smallpox and poliomyelitis. Within our own Caribbean Community, we have reached even more extraordinary milestones, having successfully eliminated many vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, congenital rubella syndrome, and rubella.”
Helen Royer, Director, Human Development, CARICOM Secretariat
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) joined regional partners in commemorating the 24th Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) with a Caribbean launch held in Georgetown, Guyana, on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat, Director of Human Development, Ms Helen Royer, underscored the timeliness of this year’s theme, “Your decision makes a difference,” noting Guyana’s leadership in immunisation as a model for the Region and reaffirming CARICOM’s commitment to the 2023 Declaration of Nassau, which anchors immunisation at the heart of regional health and development agendas.
Ms Royer emphasised the importance of vigilance against emerging health threats and misinformation, while celebrating the Caribbean’s legacy of eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases. She stated: “Our presence here also signals that our Region is firmly anchored in the 2023 Declaration of Nassau. Through that historic commitment, our Ministers of Health signalled that immunisation must remain central to our political and developmental agendas.”
Reflecting on the Caribbean’s proud immunisation journey, Ms Royer underscored the Region’s collective achievements and historic leadership in global public health:
“The Region is moving with precision because of our collective actions. We take great pride in our legacy. The Americas was the first Region in the world to eliminate smallpox and poliomyelitis. Within our own Caribbean Community, we have reached even more extraordinary milestones, having successfully eliminated many vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, congenital rubella syndrome, and rubella.”
Please read her complete remarks below:
Salutations
Good morning.
I am delighted to offer remarks at this auspicious event and bring greetings from Dr Carla Barnett, who could not be here today but sent greetings and best wishes for a successful event. The Secretariat extends profound thanks to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Guyana Office for its invitation to this significant Caribbean launch.
Today, we join the rest of the Caribbean in celebrating the 24th Vaccination Week in the Americas, under the theme: “Your decision makes a difference.”
This theme is highly relevant and timely. The choice of Guyana for this launch is particularly fitting as Guyana has made significant progress in immunisation status due to its robust immunisation system. PAHO has recently commended Guyana’s remarkable health transformation, noting that the country’s leadership in immunisation serves as a model for the Region. Today’s launch attests to a renewal of our regional commitment and our collective responsibility to protect every Caribbean citizen.
Our presence here also signals that our Region is firmly anchored in the 2023 Declaration of Nassau. Through that historic commitment, our Ministers of Health signalled that immunisation must remain central to our political and developmental agendas.
The Region is moving with precision because of our collective actions. We take great pride in our legacy. The Americas was the first region in the world to eliminate smallpox and poliomyelitis. Within our own Caribbean Community, we have reached even more extraordinary milestones, having successfully eliminated many vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, congenital rubella syndrome, and rubella.
Across our Community, we continue to see specific, record-breaking milestones:
- Jamaica was recently honoured with the PAHO Henry C. Smith Award for the most improved immunisation coverage in the Caribbean.
- Guyana has moved decisively to modernise its defences, becoming one of the first in the Region in 2025 to introduce the 9-valent HPV vaccine for broader cervical cancer protection, alongside the launch of its first seasonal influenza vaccine.
- Member States across the Region continue to strengthen primary healthcare systems and support the EPI Managers and medical professionals who go beyond the call of duty to reach every child.
However, we cannot rest on yesterday’s victories. Notwithstanding successes on many fronts, we must be honest about the risks we face. We are currently witnessing a worrying surge in measles cases across the wider Region—a stark reminder that our progress can be reversed if our vigilance declines. In an interconnected world, health threats do not respect borders.
Our greatest challenge is no longer just the availability of vaccines, but the “infodemic” of misinformation. When a parent hesitates, it affects the collective safety of our schools and communities. This is precisely why every decision matters.
The PAHO technical teams, the Strategic Advisory Group, and our dedicated National EPI Managers continue to provide the leadership and data-driven guidance needed to advance these initiatives.
We look forward to our continued collaboration, particularly through the Caribbean Immunization Technical Advisory Group (CITAG), which ensures that our decisions are technically sound and operationally grounded.
Guyana’s work in cross-border vaccination with Brazil and Suriname provides a practical example of regional cooperation in action. By aligning our health strategies at the border, we move closer to a true “community of immunity” that protects the entire Caribbean Community.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I want to reiterate that we all have a role to play. This year’s theme reminds us that every decision makes a difference. With continued collaboration among governments, technical advisors, and frontline health professionals, we will secure a healthier future for all. I wish you all a successful and impactful Vaccination Week.
Thank you.
