September 20th 2022
PAHO, Saint Lucia collaborate to strengthen immunization surveillance
by Fernelle Neptune, Ministry of Health
ESAVI SYSTEM FACILITATES DATA COLLECTION ON SIDE EFFECTS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS OF VACCINES.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) hosted a workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of participants to detect, notify and investigate ‘Events Supposedly Attributable to Vaccination or Immunization’ (ESAVI), according to national guidelines.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, said the workshop will allow for the review of the vaccine administration process and the strengthening of the immunization program in Saint Lucia.
“The ESAVI surveillance system will provide us with sufficient information in a timely manner so that we are able to register the side effects of vaccines against the adverse reactions. Being able to record every single side effects or adverse reaction will put a lot of confidence in our health system, especially with regard to the administration of new medications and vaccines,” she explained.
PAHO International Consultant for Vaccine Safety, Dr. Eden Augustus, said the workshop helps strengthen ESAVI surveillance. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to their daily practices.
“Today’s training demonstrates yet again PAHO’s unwavering support for Caribbean countries in strengthening national immunization programs, of which the surveillance aspect has been one of the weaker areas in the region.
The objective of this training is to strengthen ESAVI national surveillance capacities using regional and global standards as a reference, and using tools from epidemiology, data management and analysis, and communication.”
The ESAVI workshop focused on areas such as data management and analysis, detection and notification, epidemiology and risk communication.
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