 According to Paho, quote, one of the essential components of the safe vaccination system is the surveillance of events supposedly attributable to vaccination or immunization, more commonly known as ISAVI. The ISAVI surveillance is aimed at early detection of any adverse events that may occur following immunization in order to monitor and classify risks related to a vaccine, the manufacturing process, transportation, storage, administration, and any pre-existing condition in the vaccinated person and to rule out an association between the event and the vaccine, end quote. In November, a Paho consultant visited St. Lucia to facilitate an ISAVI and the Health Surveillance System rapid assessment exercise and the development of a surveillance manual through a one-day critical pathways workshop for officials and staff of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Early Affairs. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belma George says the training session is a timely venture as the region battles to regain confidence in immunization. One of the areas that this workshop and this critical, the rapid assessment exercise is going to assist us in seeing the gaps and strengthening our capacity, looking at events that are supposedly attributed to vaccines and immunizations. One of the areas which I think will definitely help is for us to work on the confidence of the public on parents in our capacity to monitor the effects, side effects, or anything related to the vaccines that may come up. Puminous Secretary Jenny Daniel says the development of the ISAVI surveillance manual is also expected to guide policy for effective immunization in a country as well as implementing a high-quality surveillance system. The Ministry of Health and Wellness and Early Affairs and the expanded program on immunization therefore thanks the Pan American Health Organization for the joint partnership and its support in launching an ISAVI manual for St. Lucia. So given these remarks, it's really evident the importance of this manual and therefore the importance of this workshop starting here today. I do hope that we speak and we bring about the discussion points that would lead us to establishing this critical manual as we go forward with our vaccination program. Country Program Specialist Mr. Renal Yewit expressed PAHO's continued commitment to ensuring proper monitoring of vaccine events. To ensure that vaccines-related events are monitored, PAHO trained approximately 25 healthcare workers on events supposedly attributable to vaccine or immunization. Today you will be going through several exercises. You'll be looking at the surveillance system, you'll be looking at gaps in the surveillance system. The ISAVI manual will provide a comprehensive and technical review of all processes and procedures for applying and implementing a high-quality ISAVI surveillance system in the region. The manual is expected to bring together the knowledge of vaccine safety specialists and other experts within the region and from around the world. The session was held at the Coco Palm Resort in a blended format and was facilitated by PAHO consultants Mr. Akil Williams and Mr. Koen Rock. For the communication unit of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Early Affairs, I'm Sant Justin.