Caribbean News
PAHO and Canada to strengthen vaccination manufacturing for LatAm and the Caribbean
By Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
May 1, 2023 – The Canadian Government and the PAN American Health Organisation (PAHO) are partnering to fortify vaccine manufacturing capacity to increase access to vaccination in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, had discussed the collaboration during a visit to PAHO Headquarters by Mr. Jason Tolland, Director General for South America and Inter-American Affairs at Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Mr. Tolland expressed that Canada is happy to contribute to the cause.
“Canada is looking forward to the implementation of its $15 million support to PAHO’s COVID-19 Manufacturing Platform to strengthen vaccine production capacities in Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.
Through the $15 million, funded by (GAC), PAHO is able to and will strengthen its work to improve the existing regional vaccine production capacities, supporting its Regional Platform for Advancing the Production of Vaccines
This shows Canada is keeping its promise to help boost the manufacturing of vaccines and medicines in low and middle income countries as announced last year at the G20 Summit. And, it also adds to the country’s assistance streak from 2021 to increase vaccines for vulnerable populations in the America’s with a large input of C$ 50 million in 2021 and C$ 45 million in 2023.
Barbosa gave thanks to Canada for their support as this objective, “to expand regional production…for medical products… is at the heart of,” PAHO’s strategy to “end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and a key step towards achieving universal access to health.”
PAHO is doing well so far to reach its goals of advancing vax manufacturing.
It has aided 37 countries and territories these past few years to have better access to COVID vaccines and this includes the development and establishment of national plans for vaccine development and use. Also, they have managed to lend a hand in the expanding of cold chain storage and transportation capacities and mainstreaming gender equality surrounding vaccines in 32 countries and territories.
The future for PAHO is looking very productive as the next two years will see their assistance toward Bio-Manguinhos, (a company responsible for the development and production of vaccines) in planning and implementing clinical trials for vaccine development.
The regional health body will also give support to Sinergium Biotech (pharmaceutical company) in technology transfer and the sourcing of the required equipment for the production of vaccines.