The Japanese government will be donating US$21 millions in the Pentavalente vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B and hemophilus influenzae B. The vaccine will be applied in a program nationwide starting 1 January 2001. Children two years and less will be inoculated. The Ministry of Health commits to continue the program making gradual higher contributions to the cost of the vaccine in subsequent years. In 2002, the Dominican state will cover 20% of the cost of the vaccine. In 2003, 40%; in 2004, 60%, in 2005, 80%, and in 2006, 100%. The multi-vaccine will reduce to three from nine the number of times children need to be vaccinated. The program has the support of Zacarías Garip, director of the Ministry of Health’s Expanded Vaccination Program (PAI) and of Rafael Schiffino, National Health Director.
