Guidelines to Plan for COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction, Version 1, 10 July 2020

Abstract

Among the main challenges expected for COVID-19 vaccination are timely, equitable, and sufficient access to vaccines, technical and logistical aspects, such as the development of vaccines with new technologies, the definition of priority groups, number of doses to administer for adequate protection, as well as vaccine safety and effectiveness. Additionally, other programmatic challenges can be evident related to cold chain needs and creating demand for vaccination, among others. However, with the information currently available and with the assumption that vaccines will be available in the countries of the Region starting in 2021, it is important to start preparing the infrastructure and key components to introduce the vaccine in all countries, prioritizing components in which progress can be made. The objective of this document is to provide guidelines to national immunization programs (NIPs) for the development of their COVID-19 vaccination plans. It is important to involve National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in the development of these national plans. It is also important to consider recommendations previously issued by PAHO/WHO on security measures for health care workers and the rest of the population regarding COVID-19.