The public health system in Region 10 joined with the rest of Guyana, and by extension the wider Region of the Americas, in observing Vaccination Week 2026 under the theme “Prevention is Protection, Vaccinate Now.” The local observance was also supported by the campaign message “Your Vision Makes a Difference,” which guided outreach activities across communities.
The week of activities was officially launched on April 24, with health authorities deploying vaccination teams across multiple communities within their respective catchment areas. The initiative involved coordinated walk-through campaigns aimed at increasing awareness and improving vaccine uptake across the region.
Healthcare workers, dressed in vaccination jerseys, were stationed across villages, remote settlements, and high-traffic community areas to promote immunization and educate residents on the importance of vaccines in preventing communicable diseases.
As part of the wider campaign, handbills containing detailed information on Vaccination Week activities were distributed, allowing for direct engagement with the public while highlighting available services and schedules. Teams also partnered with key stakeholders and organizations, expanding outreach into sawmills, schools, workplaces, mining camps, and other industrial sites.
Special focus was placed on reaching communities with large migrant populations, where teams conducted both awareness sessions and on-site vaccination. In addition, school-based engagements and house-to-house campaigns were carried out to ensure broader coverage across all demographic groups.
A range of vaccines was made available throughout the week, including the HPV vaccine, which forms part of the region’s long-term strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. The vaccine was administered to persons between the ages of 9 and 45, with emphasis placed on children aged 9 to 16. Other vaccines offered included yellow fever, MMR, tetanus, and hepatitis B.
Outreach efforts also extended to interior locations such as Frenchman Backdam and the Mabura Trail, where vaccination teams collaborated with companies like Omai to deliver services directly to workers in mining operations and surrounding communities.
According to Kerene Mitchell, Vaccine Representative of Region 10, continued progress from recent interventions are being made, noting that a mop-up campaign had been successfully conducted. During that exercise, 261 doses of the HPV vaccine were administered to children within the 9 to 16 age group. Health teams also reinforced outreach through household visits and school-based awareness sessions, including recent activities along the Berbice River.
Despite ongoing challenges, particularly resistance in some sections of the population, Miss Mitchell said efforts remained consistent and focused on sustained engagement.
“We are not giving up the fight even though the resistance is still there in some sections. We will still continue to work, still continue to raise awareness. So we are making some strides in this regard,” Miss Mitchell stated, underscoring continued commitment to expanding vaccine coverage.
She added that vaccination activities will continue across the region as part of sustained efforts to strengthen immunization coverage and public health protection.
