Guatemala Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)
In February, the Guatemalan Ministry of Health (MoH) developed a national plan to facilitate introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine in four phases to preserve the healthcare system, reduce mortality risk and disease burden, and preserve the economy. The coordinating team involved in the national immunization efforts included the MoH, Universidad del Valle, including the Guatemalan FETP, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Central American Regional Office (CDC-CAR). As of March 17, 55,060 people have been vaccinated with one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
FETP graduates and trainees, in partnership with CDC-CAR, MoH, and Universidad del Valle, have also been working to better understand the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers. They recently began a study among healthcare workers in the department of Huehuetenango prior to COVID-19 vaccination in an effort to obtain this data and capture the demographic, work, clinical and COVID-19 test access characteristics among this population.
During the study, the group obtained informed consent, collected serological samples, preserved and transported them, and tested the samples using chemiluminescence (emission of light).
Throughout the data analysis process, the researchers ensured accuracy and completeness of the data by taking ethical considerations into account including potential risks and benefits, and protocol approval. Despite challenges such as ensuring the maintenance of a cold chain, protocol review, and COVID-19 vaccine rollout, they have been able to carry out this important work and engage in problem solving during the study.