Recent outbreaks in the Americas underscore need to urgently address immunization gaps, PAHO Director says – PAHO/WHO

More than 66 million doses of vaccine will be administered during the Vaccination Week in the Americas, including 2.7 million doses of vaccine containing sarampos

Washington DC, April 24, 2025 (PAHO)-as the countries of the Americas face outbreaks of preventable diseases to vaccines, such as measles and yellow fever, the director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, requested an urgent action to address the gaps in immunization coverage.

«In the last five decades, vaccines have saved 154 million lives worldwide, reducing infant mortality by 41% only in the Americas,» said the director of the PAHO during a press conference held today before the week of vaccination in the Americas, a flagship initiative led by the PAHO, which takes place from April 26 until May 3. «However,» our progress against vaccines against vaccination diseases is a lot of comfort and a last appropriate health commitment. «

Throughout the world, confirmed measles cases exceeded 359,000 in 2024. This, combined with gaps in vaccination coverage, has led to outbreaks located in six countries in the Americas, with 2,313 cases reported so far this year, up to only 215 during the same period in 2024. Three deaths have been confirmed, and another is under investigation.

«Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world,» said Dr. Barbosa. «However, countries have struggled to maintain the recommended coverage of 95% of the MMR vaccine (measles, paper and rubella), which leaves us susceptible to imported cases.»

Progress has been achieved in recent years. For the first time since 2019, MMR1 coverage increased by 2023, reaching 87% in the Americas. Despite this improvement, there is still a significant gap: 1.4 million children in the region did not receive any doses of the MMR vaccine that year. Oblutes have been observed in communities where only 3% to 7% of people were susceptible, highlighting the risk raised even by small pockets of low coverage.

During this year’s vaccination week in the countries of America throughout the region, they plan to administer approximately 66.5 million doses of vaccines, including 2.7 million guidance measles. Now in its 23rd year, the initiative has so far allowed more than 1.2 billion people to be vaccinated since its launch in 2003. According to the slogan, «its decision makes a difference. Immunization for all», countries are mobilizing to reach people with the greatest risk of missing vaccines, especially children.

In 2025, the region has also seen an increase in yellow fever, with four countries that reported 189 cases so far, including 74 deaths, compared to 61 cases and 30 deaths reported during 2024.

To address these outbreaks, Paho is working with countries to address the vaccine vaccine, strengthen routine immunization programs and expand access to vaccination through the use of microplaning and digital tools such as electronic immunization records and geographic information systems. These tools help monitor coverage, identify gaps, «stop the virus on their tracks,» said Dr. Barbosa.

Dr. Barbosa also highlighted the importance of Paho’s rotating fund, a grouped acquisition mechanism that allows the countries of the Americas to access high quality vaccines at affordable prices. «Without the fund, countries would pay at least 75% more for the 13 most common vaccines in the region,» he said.

While the week of vaccination in the Americas «remains a cornerstone of public health in the region,» Dr. Barbosa emphasized that «immunization does not end with vaccination week.»

The Americas have a leadership legacy in vaccination and elimination of diseases. The region was the first to eliminate smallpox in 1974 and polyomyelitis in 1994, and has also eliminated measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, maternal and neonatal tetanus, and outbreaks of urban yellow fever.

Now, the PAHO is supporting countries through its disease elimination initiative, a bold effort to eliminate more than 30 diseases and conditions related to 2030, 11 of which the vaccine can be prevented.

In 2024, the region successfully recovered its state as an endemic measles free. While this state remains intact, recent outbreaks serve as a reminder of continuous risk and the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to avoid restoration of endemic transmission.

«The region of the Americas is ours to protect,» said Dr. Barbosa. «When working together, throughout the vaccination week and beyond, we can build a stronger, more safe and healthy America,» concluded the director of Paho.

Vaccination Week in the Americas

The Vaccination Week in the Americas is a regional initiative that aims to promote equity and access to vaccination in all countries in the region of the Americas. This year’s issue, «his decision makes a difference. Immunization for all,» highlights the urgent need to avoid the spread of diseases that threaten life and keep each of us, our families and our communities safe.

The regional launch of the week will take place on Monday, April 28 in Panama. National launches and initiatives will also be carried out throughout the region.