By Julia Symmes Cobb
BOGOTA (Reuters) – The Americas is facing an impending crisis in routine vaccinations because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday, urging governments and parents to ensure that children receive immunizations.
“The region is facing an impending crisis around routine vaccination and ongoing attention must be given as a priority to sustaining and strengthening the immunization and other essential health programs,” PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said during the group’s weekly press conference.
“Unless we improve our routine immunization programs the region is at high risk of new and re-emerging outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.”
(Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb)
