Vaccines have helped save millions says PAHO Director

Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Jarbas Barbosa has stated that vaccination has resulted in a 41% decline in infant mortality in the region of the Americas.

Dr Barbosa was speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday,April 23, 2025 to bring about awareness of the need for persons to get vaccinated against numerous preventable diseases.

This year, PAHO’s 23rd Vaccination Week in the Americas is scheduled to run from April 26 to May 3.

The week will be held under the theme “your decision makes a difference, Immunization for all.”

The grand launch of this year’s Vaccination Week will take place in Panama on April 28.

Dr Barbosa added that over the past 50 years, more than 150 million lives worldwide were saved by vaccines.

He added that vaccination has also helped to improve health and production in the region.

It is projected that during Vaccination Week, countries in the region will administer about 66.5 million doses of vaccine for different diseases.