BRAZIL DONATES 20,000 DOSES OF THE H1N1 VACCINE TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
On 27th February, 2016, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago received a donation of 20,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine from the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. At the request of the Ministry of Health, an officer from the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Brasilia accompanied the vaccines which were air-lifted from the São Paulo airport of Guarulhos to Trinidad and Tobago on GOL airlines.
Arrangements were co-ordinated by the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs through its Embassy in Brasilia, in concert with the Ministry of Health. The Embassy also worked very closely with the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Brazilian customs, the Cargo Terminal of the São Paulo airport and GOL airlines. Other national authorities which assisted in the safe delivery of the vaccines to the Ministry of Health included the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (Air Guard), the Customs and Excise Division of the Ministry of Finance and the Airports Authority.
Careful and detailed planning and coordination were required as without proper refrigeration, the vaccines ran the risk of becoming ineffective within 36 hours. The team worked efficiently and earnestly to ensure that the vaccines were delivered within the 36-hour window and that the integrity of the vaccines were preserved despite logistical and transportation challenges.
Trinidad and Tobago has expressed its gratitude to the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil for the generous donation and for the efforts of all involved.
Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs
View document: Brazil donates 20,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine to Trinidad and Tobago
