Early diagnosis of infants who have acquired HIV vertically (from their mother) is vital. Swift testing of infants exposed to HIV and an immediate start of antiretroviral therapy upon diagnosis can ensure the survival of children who have acquired HIV. Without early diagnosis and treatment, about half of infants with HIV die by the age of two years, but many HIV-exposed infants in low- and middle-income countries are not accessing early infant diagnosis.

In the Caribbean, coverage of virological testing for early infant diagnosis varies from 21% in Jamaica to 99% in Cuba.