Control of COVID-19 in the Americas will take years if vaccination continues at a slow pace, says PAHO Director – PAHO / WHO

In some countries, not even 1% of the population has been vaccinated. In others, the number is only 3%. Director calls for ‘urgent’ increase in access to vaccines, calls on countries to contribute doses or financial resources

Washington, DC, June 9, 2021 (OPS) – The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, drew attention to the low rate of vaccination against COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean and warned that the control of the virus will take years if current trends persist.

“We are witnessing the emergence of two worlds: one is quickly returning to normal and the other where recovery remains a distant future,” Etienne said at PAHO’s weekly press conference.

Although the United States has fully immunized over 40% of its population, the pace is much slower in Latin America and the Caribbean. Some countries – including Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia – have vaccinated only 3% of their population.

In Central America, only 2 million people have been fully immunized; in the Caribbean, less than 3 million. In some countries, including Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras, not even 1% of the population has been vaccinated.

“The inequalities in immunization coverage are undeniable,” said Etienne. “Unfortunately, vaccine supplies are concentrated in a few countries, while most countries around the world wait for doses to run out. While COVID-19 vaccines are new, this story is not – inequalities often dictate who has the right to health. “

The Director of PAHO added that “if current trends continue, the health, social and economic disparities in our region will become even greater and it will be years before we can control this virus in the Americas.”

Etienne called for an “urgent” increase in access to vaccines in Latin America and the Caribbean and for the prioritization of countries where “even vulnerable populations still need to be protected”. She called on countries rich in vaccines and resources to follow the lead of the United States, which has donated 6 million initial doses; from Spain, which contributed 5 million; and Canada, which has committed Can $ 50 million to expand access to vaccines in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“We hope that other countries – especially those with doses to spare – and global financial institutions will follow in their footsteps to provide the support we need to protect the 70% of our population who will not be covered by COVAX. “Etienne said, referring to the global mechanism to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines.

According to Etienne, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean must adhere to proven public health measures, such as the use of masks, hand hygiene and physical distancing. The Director of PAHO also called for the implementation of “robust surveillance systems” supported by regular testing and contact tracing. “This will continue to be essential in controlling the virus, even as vaccination coverage is extended and cases are reduced.”

“The deterioration of conditions continues in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Etienne warned. “The trends we are seeing are clear: in our region this year has been worse than the last. In many places, infections are higher now than at any time during this pandemic. “

The Director of PAHO reported that in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago had reported the largest increase in infections and deaths from COVID-19 in the past month. In Haiti, hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients are straining the country’s oxygen reserves. In Costa Rica, infections are declining after weeks of acceleration, but other Central American countries, including Panama and Guatemala, are seeing an increase in new cases.

Ecuador, Brazil and Peru are reporting a drop in cases, but most countries in South America, including Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, are reporting an increase in infections. Cases and deaths have increased in Bolivia and Colombia over the past two weeks, and in many Colombian cities, intensive care beds are nearing capacity.

In the Americas, including North America, there were nearly 1.2 million new cases of COVID-19 last week and more than 34,000 deaths. Four of the five countries with the highest number of deaths in the world are in the Americas.

“Although hospital beds have doubled – if not tripled – across the region, intensive care beds are full, oxygen is running out and healthcare workers are overwhelmed,” Etienne said.