KINGSTON, Jamaica. Tuesday, June 10, 2025: Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP, has announced that his ministry has identified 16 public and two private pilot sites to roll out the Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR) Programme.
This is a shift from traditional paper-based records to a secure, centralised digital platform set to revolutionise how immunization services are tracked, planned and delivered across Jamaica’s health institutions.
“The healthcare system will benefit from real-time intelligence, integrated service delivery, patient empowerment, targeted interventions. By identifying who is being missed, where and why, the EIR enables data-driven, community-specific outreach that boosts coverage and equity and improved outcomes. Ultimately, the EIR will help achieve higher vaccine coverage, fewer missed doses, and better protection for all,” said Dr. Tufton during his Sectoral Presentation on Tuesday (June 10, 2025).
“This is more than a system upgrade; it is a reimagining of how immunization services are delivered. With the EIR, Jamaica is not just keeping pace with global health innovations, we are leading the way toward a smarter, more responsive, and more resilient healthcare future. It will make the immunization process smarter, faster, and more efficient, strengthening the health system’s ability to protect every citizen through timely and effective vaccination,” the Minister said.
Jamaica has long maintained a strong immunization programme, but to meet modern health demands and maximise impact, innovation is needed.
The EIR pilot project marks a bold step forward, a transformative shift from manual data entry to a fully digital immunisation system that supports real-time decision-making and system-wide improvements.
“This transformation is essential for ensuring accurate, timely, and comprehensive vaccine management, critical to protecting communities against vaccine-preventable diseases, and we are finalising procurement of the software solution and investing in essential infrastructure upgrades, including the acquisition of a dedicated server and digital enhancements at all 18 sites,” the Minister added.
Jamaica has continued to distinguish itself with its immunization coverage. The country has continued to have high immunisation rates, achieving and surpassing the 95% target for all 8 antigens.
In 2024, the island won the Henry C. Smith Award for the most improved immunization coverage in 2023. The award was announced at the 38th Caribbean Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Managers’ meeting held in St. Kitts and Nevis. This is a significant achievement for Jamaica and reflects the strength of the primary healthcare system.