The vaccination companion: A quick guide for healthcare workers

Abstract

In February 2023, a collaboration was formed between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and Global Affairs Canada to initiate a social and behavior change project in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project's initial phase aimed to understand barriers to vaccine uptake by raising public awareness, holding focus groups, and interviewing healthcare workers and the public. The Caribbean has seen significant reductions in vaccine-preventable diseases over the last twenty years, thanks to efforts such as PAHO's Expanded Program on Immunization. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, misinformation has led to public skepticism and concerns regarding vaccine safety. Despite receiving the first COVAX Facility doses in March 2021 and making robust distribution plans, uptake remains low, especially among healthcare workers. This hesitancy threatens global health initiatives.