Project HOPE and AmeriCares Deliver Lifesaving Vaccines to Benefit Thousands in the Dominican Republic

Vaccines and Supplies Donated by Sanofi Pasteur, Merck and BD to Build Healthier Communities

Global NGOs Project HOPE and AmeriCares are delivering lifesaving vaccines to the Dominican Republic to benefit children and adults, especially those living along the country’s border with Haiti, in support of the National Program of Immunization established by the Ministry of Health.

Nearly 200,000 adults and children will receive vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, meningococcal disease, and typhoid fever. The Ministry of Health is leading this effort to increase access to immunizations against these diseases among health care workers, food handlers, farm workers, low-income urban residents and other at-risk populations.

In addition, more than 100,000 children under the age of two will be able to complete their childhood vaccination schedule with a vaccine that will protect them from hepatitis B, as well as meningitis and pneumonia caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria.

“The donated medicines will greatly improve access for children and at-risk adults to these vaccines that may ultimately save their lives,” said Teresa Narvaez, Project HOPE’s Country Manager in the Dominican Republic.

Sanofi Pasteur donated the vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus, typhoid fever and meningitis, while Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, provided the hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae combination vaccine. BD, a global medical technology company, contributed Sharps containers, auto-disable syringes and alcohol swabs to administer the vaccines.

The Ministry of Health will send the vaccines provided by Sanofi Pasteur to communities along the border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti to aid children and families whose access to health care may have been disrupted as a result of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

The humanitarian effort was announced at a joint press conference in Santo Domingo by the Minister of Health, Dr. Bautista Rojas Gomes, Dr. Zarcarias Garib Arbaje, Director of the National Immunization Program and representatives from Project HOPE and the participating corporate partners.

About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health crises, with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Identifiable to many by the SS HOPE, the world’s first peacetime hospital ship, Project HOPE now conducts land-based medical training and health education programs in more than 35 countries across five continents.

About AmeriCares
AmeriCares is a non-profit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion.