Canada Announces Millions in COVID-19 Support for Latin America and Caribbean

Jamaica’s continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been given a major boost through support from the Canadian Government to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Canada’s Minister of International Development, Hon. Harjit Sajjan, announced contribution of CAD$45 million (US$33 million) to PAHO to bolster vaccine access across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The support is part of Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE), which was launched on Friday (Jan. 13), at the International Seabed Authority in Kingston.

Minister Sajjan, who is also responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, said that the financial support adds to a prior contribution of CAD$50 million ( approximately US$40 million) made in May 2021.

He noted that almost a third of the new funds will support national interventions in Colombia, Haiti, and Jamaica.

“The aim of CanGIVE is to support countries in vaccine delivery and distribution, including efforts to increase confidence in vaccination and boost the regional production of vaccines,” he pointed out.

Minister Sajjan said that COVID-19 is still a clear and present danger, and his country remains committed to removing barriers to international vaccine distribution so that everyone may be immunised against the dreaded virus.

“Although we may wish we could turn the page on COVID-19 altogether, we know it is not that simple. There is still work to do to control the spread of the virus, move into recovery, and build stronger health systems,” Minister Sajjan told the gathering, which included international and local health officials.

“Canada’s partnership with PAHO will help improve access to COVID-19 vaccines, especially for people in vulnerable situations, including women and girls. [It] will also help improve vaccine surveillance and support health workers,” Minister Sajjan added.

Director of Health Emergencies at PAHO, Ciro Ugarte, who also addressed the launch, said there is hardly any room for complacency as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic, cautioning countries against prematurely reverting to the old ways of doing things.

“The pandemic is not over. Last month, the region of the Americas reported more than 3.6 million new COVID-19 cases and 18,000 new deaths, a surge of 42 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively,” Mr. Ugarte noted.

“I commend the Government of Canada for its continued support to PAHO and the countries in the region in facing the COVID-19 pandemic, building upon our joint efforts to achieve optimal health and contribute to the well-being of all the peoples of the Americas,” he added.

Mr. Ugarte said that while over 70 per cent of the region’s inhabitants have completed a primary vaccination schedule to date, 203 million people have yet to receive a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

He noted that with the additional funds, PAHO will support member states in Latin America and the Caribbean in strengthening health systems and immunisation programmes, and in incorporating COVID-19 vaccination into their regular vaccination schedules.

“The collaboration will also support the implementation of information systems and digital platforms for COVID-19 vaccine surveillance, research initiatives to build evidence on COVID-19 vaccine perception and acceptance and will encourage vaccination through targeted outreach and community engagement efforts,” the PAHO official added.

Since 2021, the collaboration between Canada and PAHO has provided guidance to health authorities in the development and rollout of COVID-19 vaccine campaigns, ensuring that populations in situations of vulnerability are adequately reflected and prioritised in 28 member states.

PAHO and Canada have also supported 22 countries in strengthening their cold chain capacity to safely manage and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, a long-term investment that will improve regular immunisation programmes and strengthen health systems altogether.