Friday, August 27, 2021

The Americas Remains the Region Worst-Hit by COVID-19: PAHO

Dr. Carissa Etienne: "Even as Latin America continues to lead global infections, with 7 of the top 20 countries and territories with the highest mortality rates in the world... just over 23% of people in the region have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations."
| Photo: Twitter @GHS

Published 26 August 2021

Despite the fact that the Americas is leading global infection figures, with higher mortality rates, just over 23% of people completed their immunization schedule, regretted Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Latin America and the Caribbean continue to be considered as the region worst hit by Covid-19, reporting an increased toll of confirmed cases and deaths.

The Americas Report More Than Half of Global COVID-19 Deaths

Despite the fact that the Americas is leading global infection figures, with higher mortality rates, just over 23% of people completed their immunization schedule, regretted Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

She reported that over 1.5 million new cases and nearly 20,000 deaths were reported during the last week.

Dr. Etienne explained that PAHO and Covax mechanisms deliver nearly 12 million Covid-19 vaccine doses stemming from the United States, Spain, Norway, France, and Sweden; however, this amount of vaccine doses is not enough to protect hundreds of millions of vulnerable people.

"Some countries have no choice but to depend on donations to immunize their populations," Dr. Etienne added.

PAHO highlighted that several Latin American and Caribbean countries including Cuba are already involved in manufacturing their own anti-Covid-19 vaccines, a way to reduce dependence on imports.

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