The Henry C. Smith Award was presented to the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) during the Thirty-ninth Meeting of Managers of the Caribbean Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI), held from October 7–9, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago. Mrs Ferrosa Roache, Director of Community Nursing and National EPI Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the Territory and the BVIHSA. Photo: BVIHSA

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr June M. Samuel, left, and Director of Primary Healthcare, Dr Natasha D. Frett have both commended the BVI Health Services (BVIHSA) team for its outstanding achievement: Photo: VINO/GIS/File

The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has been awarded the Henry C. Smith Award for outstanding improvement in its national immunisation programme. Photo: BVIHSA/File

The accolade was presented during the Thirty-ninth Meeting of Managers of the Caribbean Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI), held from October 7–9, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago. The event brought together 40 participants from 25 countries and territories across the British West Indies and the Dutch Caribbean, including representatives from ministries of health, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and PAHO/WHO.

The VI was represented by Mrs Ferrosa Roache, Director of Community Nursing and National EPI Manager, who accepted the award on behalf of the Territory and the BVIHSA.

“This achievement is a reflection of the hard work and unwavering dedication of our Primary Healthcare Team - nurses, community health workers, and public health professionals, who continue to protect the health and wellbeing of our people,” said Mrs Roache in a press release.

“It demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and our shared commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery,” she added.

‘Remarkable increases in national vaccination coverage’

The Henry C. Smith Award is presented annually to the country or territory demonstrating the most significant improvement in its national immunisation programme.

According to the BVIHSA, the VI earned this distinction following remarkable increases in national vaccination coverage rates for 2024:

• Birth Dose Hepatitis B: 85% (2023) - 91% (2024)
• 3rd Dose DTP-HepB-Hib-Polio: 85% (2023) - 100% (2024)
• 1st Dose MMR: 86% (2023) - 87.6% (2024)
• 2nd Dose MMR: 73% (2023) - 91.9% (2024)
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): 44% (2023) - 95% (2024)

‘Unwavering commitment to public health excellence’

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr June M. Samuel, commended the team for their outstanding achievement:

“This recognition reflects the BVIHSA’s unwavering commitment to public health excellence. Our Primary Healthcare Team continues to exemplify the Authority’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality care that protects and uplifts our communities. We are proud of their dedication and the lasting impact of their work.”

Director of Primary Healthcare, Dr Natasha D. Frett, also expressed pride in the team’s achievement:

“The success of our immunisation programme is the result of collective effort—from our dedicated nurses in clinics across the Territory to our community partners who help build trust and awareness. This award belongs to every member of our Primary Healthcare Team who goes above and beyond to keep our population safe."