Puerto Rico Gears Up for Island-Wide Flu Vaccine Campaign

Forty tons of medical aid left Direct Relief's warehouse Dec. 12, bound for healthcare facilities across Puerto Rico. The shipment will be airlifted to San Juan, where it will be distributed to 20 health centers and six hospitals across the island. The Puerto Rico Department of Health, the Puerto Rico Department of Health, and VOCES are all slated to receive the shipment, worth more than $20 million. The shipment is filled with critical medicines, including epinephrine, IV fluids, surgical supplies and solar suitcases that provide emergency power. (Lara Cooper/Direct Relief)

By Tony Morain

March 7, 2018

The Puerto Rico Department of Health, together with the Puerto Rico Coalition of Vaccination and Prevention, known as VOCES, and Direct Relief, will conduct one of the largest mass vaccination campaigns ever held in Puerto Rico this Saturday, March 10.

More than 50 vaccination centers, pharmacies, hospitals and primary health centers across the island have joined The Puerto Rico Free of Influenza 100×35 Challenge, which calls for protection against influenza and aims to provide all citizens in Puerto Rico with access to flu shots – free of charge.

“We remain committed to making vaccines accessible to the Puerto Rican community, and to any region of the island that needs it. We continue with our mission to use every available resource and make it available to people for the welfare and health of the country, a topic that has always been a priority for the administration of the governor, Ricardo Rosselló,” said Dr. Rafael Rodríguez Mercado, Secretary of Health.

“We continue to be alert and without letting our guard down to fight this terrible disease that has affected a large part of the population in Puerto Rico and has already claimed five lives,” said Lilliam Rodriguez Capó, manager of the initiative and founding president of VOCES. “With this initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Health and other partners, we will be arriving for free at every corner and we hope that each home will ensure that everyone in their family is protected.”

The objective is to prevent the transmission of contagious influenza, save lives and safeguard the health of all, especially first responders, children, adolescents and the elderly, people with chronic disease or weakened immune systems, caregivers and other vulnerable groups. Flu season is not over yet, and all are encouraged to get a vaccination.

For Saturday’s vaccination locations, visit the VOCES Facebook page or the organization’s website, or by calling (787) 789-4008.