PAHO Calls for Increased Vaccination Amid Rising Diphtheria Cases

The Pan American Health Organization is urging countries in the Americas to enhance their routine immunization programs. This call comes in response to a significant increase in diphtheria cases, with 163 confirmed cases and five deaths reported in the first 21 weeks of 2026, more than double the previous year. The majority of cases are in Haiti, primarily affecting unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals, highlighting critical gaps in coverage.