Our Impact

How We Deliver Our Mission

Through a joint initiative, Facilitating Equitable Access to Vaccines in the Americas, with our partners at the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization for the Americas (PAHO/WHO), Vaccine Ambassadors funds the purchase and international logistics of priority vaccines for children and families residing in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In order to maximize impact, vaccine selection is based on priority needs identified by in-country public health experts. In addition to strengthening routine immunization programs, Vaccine Ambassadors provides emergency vaccines during natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

The Impact of Your Contribution

To date, Vaccine Ambassadors has provided over 1,00,000 vaccines covering 14 different diseases.

Routine Immunizations

Response to National Immunization Programs

Routine immunizations strengthen national immunization programs in low- and middle-income countries. Ensuring a stable supply of vaccines is paramount to improving health in marginalized communities.

Large-Scale Campaigns

Response to Sub-Optimal Vaccine Coverage

By joining other international partners, Vaccine Ambassadors has been able to amplify vaccine support on two large-scale immunization campaigns in Haiti. The most recent campaign was in June 2019. The focus was on three diseases, for which there were suboptimal coverage; measles, rubella, and polio. The targeted recipients were 1.5 million children under the age of five. Additional partners in this effort included the Pan American Health Organization, the World Bank, GAVI, USAID and others.

Emergency Relief

Response to Natural Disaster

In the fall of 2017, Vaccine Ambassadors responded to the critical immunization needs of Dominica following the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Widespread power outages resulted in the loss of the island’s entire vaccine supply. Working with partners at the Pan American Health Organization, Vaccine Ambassadors provided a 4-month emergency supply of vaccines covering 12 different diseases for children and adults residing on the island. In addition to vaccines, a centralized solar-powered refrigerator was purchased to maintain future vaccines, along with vaccine carriers to reach remote areas of the island.

Response to Humanitarian Crisis

Mass migration has put a strain on existing healthcare systems in the Andean subregion, leading to significant challenges in meeting basic immunization needs. Over 4 million people in Venezuela alone have migrated to neighboring countries in search of a more equitable future. In an effort to meet the growing immunization needs, Vaccine Ambassadors supported the purchase of quadrivalent influenza vaccines to Colombia to assist with the greater influx of people in need of immunization services.

At the end of 2019, we supported 300,000 vaccines for infants in Venezuela. We anticipate critical needs in 2020 as well.

Response to Low Coverage and potential Outbreaks

In August 2020, 50,000 measles rubella vaccines arrived in Venezuela to be distributed to children in states close to the border (Táchira, Apure, Bolívar) and in the Capital District, given that these are entry points for migrants. Additionally, a portion of the shipment was mobilized by the national immunization program.

In March 2021, 50,000 pentavalent (5 vaccines in 1 injection) vaccines arrived for infants and children in Venezuela. These vaccines were used to start, continue, or complete the series, which provides protection from five life-threatening diseases. These vaccines, will also help aid in the effort to combat the diphtheria outbreak that began in 2016. to combat the diphtheria outbreak that began in 2016.

Aiding in the Recovery of National Immunization Programs

Over the past 3 years, Vaccine Ambassadors has been aiding in the recovery of national immunization programs that have suffered critical setback incurred by the pandemic. Over 250,000 vaccines arrived in 8 priority countries (Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname), covering 10 different diseases.

How Our Funds Are Used

Vaccine Ambassadors prides itself on its efficiency to deliver on its mission to provide vaccines to families and children in need of immunization services, and to advocate for their uptake where they are plentiful. Through strategically selected partnerships we can make the best use of our donor dollars, while amplifying the messages that vaccines save lives.

Because of the generosity of private donors and robust Board support, 100% of our public contributions go to the purchase and delivery of vaccines and related supplies and services.