Venezuela Receives Vaccine Shipment from Nicaragua to Bolster Immunization Program

MAIQUETÍA, Venezuela –⁣ A shipment of 60,000 vaccine doses⁣ arrived at Simón Bolívar ⁢International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira state, this morning, aimed at strengthening Venezuela’s national immunization program. The vaccines, a mix of BCG and oral polio vaccines, were sent from Nicaragua to protect‍ children under the age of five.

The initiative is part of a health plan promoted by President Nicolás Maduro, facilitated through cooperation with Alba countries.

The oral polio vaccine is designed to prevent poliomyelitis, a viral infection that can lead to permanent paralysis. The BCG vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) is administered to infants and young children‍ to provide protection against severe forms of active tuberculosis, including meningeal ⁤tuberculosis,‍ and to bolster resistance to the disease.

The shipment includes 30,000 doses of BCG and 30,000 doses of the⁢ oral polio vaccine. these will be⁤ distributed to health centers within the 593 Community Integral Health Areas (ASIC) across Venezuela’s 24 states. Distribution will⁤ occur through ambulatory and hospital networks, and also⁣ via the “Lightning Plan,” “Health Goes to School,” and door-to-door campaigns.

Jesús Osteicochea, Vice Minister of Collective Health, emphasized the importance of continuous care for newborns and children under ‍five. He stated⁣ that President Maduro, through the Ministry of Popular Power⁣ for Health (MPPS), has promoted initiatives to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.

These efforts are being carried out by the National Government, under the leadership ⁣of President Nicolás ⁣Maduro, in coordination with the Minister of Popular power for ⁣Health,‍ Magaly Gutiérrez Viña.⁢ Despite sanctions, the government continues to implement strategies within the framework of ⁢the Government Plan of the 7 transformations and the Expanded ⁢Immunization Program to ensure the well-being of Venezuelans.