As the pandemic continues to evolve, it is critical to ensure high risk populations can access vaccines. In Latin America and the Caribbean, like in other regions, health systems continue to face significant challenges to deliver COVID-19 immunization and broader health services, while also enhancing preparedness for the future.

“We know that ultimately, vaccines do not do any good sitting in vials. It takes a health system to turn a vaccine into a vaccination. That’s why we’re working with our partners to help ensure vaccines reach those who need them the most.”

- Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

• Canada’s CanGIVE funding to PAHO will increase access to COVID-19 vaccination by strengthening health systems and supporting health information systems and digital platforms for COVID-19 vaccine surveillance in the LAC Region. Canada's contribution will also support research to build evidence on COVID-19 vaccination uptake and engage communities to address gender-related barriers to vaccine confidence.  

• Canada’s support to UNICEF for CanGIVE programming will expand and integrate digital COVID-19 vaccination tools within routine immunization, engage high-risk and priority groups to understand and address localized and gender-related barriers to vaccination, as well as reinforce childhood vaccination. Canada’s funding will also support cold chain training and upgrades and strengthen gender-sensitive WASH efforts.

• The contribution announced today is part of the $732 million in multilateral funding for the ACT-Accelerator, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 12, 2022, during the second virtual Global COVID-19 Summit.

• On June 22, 2022, Canada announced $200 million in funding for a new signature initiative, Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE), aimed at supporting vaccine delivery and distribution in 12 countries including Colombia, Haiti and Jamaica, as well as to the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Region more broadly. Today’s announcement brings the CanGIVE program to a total of $275 million. 

• Canada has been an ally to countries in LAC since the beginning of the pandemic. In May 2021, Canada provided $50 million to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to support PAHO’s critical work in LAC to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for at-risk women, migrants, refugees, transient persons, Indigenous and vulnerable populations in areas where health conditions are typically precarious. 

• With Canada’s support, PAHO was able to provide vaccine procurement and deliveries, comprehensive technical assistance, cold-chain equipment and comprehensive health communication. Canada contributed to PAHO’s Revolving Fund efforts, which facilitated the delivery of 125 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to 33 countries as part of the COVAX Facility.

Associated links

• Minister Sajjan announces $200-million contribution to enhance COVID-19 vaccine delivery, demand and production in 13 high-need countries
• Prime Minister attends second Global COVID-19 Summit to contribute to a global solution
• Canada’s role in helping to vaccinate the world
• Canada’s aid and development assistance in response to the COVID 19 pandemic
• Canada’s aid and development assistance in response to the COVID 19 pandemic
• UNICEF: Strengthening health systems
• UNICEF’s Health System Strengthening Approach
• Pan American Health Organization: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic
• ACT-Accelerator
• COVID-19 vaccine market dashboard

Haley Hodgson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
Haley.Hodgson@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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