Dominican Republic receives more than 436,000 vaccine doses to protect children

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health received 386,990 doses of the acellular hexavalent vaccine and 50,000 doses of the acellular quadrivalent vaccine to strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and ensure free, timely protection for children against preventable diseases.

The hexavalent vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacteria that can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis. It is administered beginning at two months of age, with doses at 2, 4, and 6 months, followed by a booster at 18 months.

The quadrivalent vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio and is administered as a booster at 4 years of age.

Aida Lucía Vargas, director of the Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, said the vaccines are acquired through the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Revolving Fund, which ensures biological products that meet high standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

The doses have already been distributed through the National Vaccination Network and are available free of charge at more than 1,350 vaccination centers nationwide.

The Ministry said it maintains adequate reserves to ensure uninterrupted vaccination services in the event of disruptions to international supply chains. It also expects to receive additional vaccine shipments in the coming weeks to strengthen national supplies and maintain immunization coverage.