Pan American Health Organization

Belize and Guatemala jointly launch the 11th Vaccination Week in the Americas

Initiative supported by PAHO/WHO promotes equity and access to immunization and cooperation between countries

Benque Viejo, Belize, 25 April 2013 (PAHO/WHO) — Minister of Health of Belize Pablo Marin was joined by Minister of Health Jorge Alejandro Villavicencio of Guatemala, Kim Simplis Barrow, spouse of Belize’s prime minister, and the director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Carissa F. Etienne on 24 April to officially launch the 11^th regional Vaccination Week in the Americas.

The bi-national launch took place in the Adjacency Zone between Benque Viejo, Belize, and Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala.

Vaccination Week in the Americas is being celebrated on 20-27 April in countries throughout the hemisphere. This year, Belize’s participation is focused on intensive vaccination activities to protect children against diseases including polio, measles, and rubella, among others.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 April 2013 18:12

VWA is an extraordinary effort led by the countries and territories of the Region to advance equity and access to vaccination. VWA activities strengthen the national immunization programs in the Americas by reaching out to populations with little access to regular health services, such as those populations living in urban fringes, rural and border areas and in indigenous communities. Since its inception in 2003, more than 410 million individuals of all ages have been vaccinated during campaigns conducted under the framework of VWA.

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 April 2013 18:25

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