USAID Donates Children’s Influenza Vaccines
January 29, 2008

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The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), donated today 207,000 doses of the influenza vaccine to protect Salvadoran girls and boys between six and 23 months of age nationwide.

The USAID Mission Director Deborah Kennedy-Iraheta delivered the donation on January 28 to the Vice Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), Doctor Jose Ernesto Navarro, at the Comalapa International Airport.
MSPAS, in coordination with the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS), launched a vaccination campaign against the influenza on January 14, 2008.  The U.S. government joined the Salvadoran government in this effort, through the donation of the vaccines for an investment of over $2.4 million.  The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) covered the vaccines’ transportation costs from the United States to El Salvador. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.  The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Under the USAID Strengthening Health Program, assistance from the U.S. government to El Salvador focuses on improving maternal, child and infant health and integrated child and reproductive health care, as well as on increasing investment and transparency in the social sector.