Making Galapagos the first immunized archipelago in Latin America

Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ supports the Government of Ecuador in a mass vaccination campaign in the Galapagos Islands. People residing in the Galapagos can register for vaccination using this link: http://bit.ly/VacunacionGalapagos 

Vaccination and post-vaccination control during the mass vaccination campaign developed through the collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Government Council of Galapagos and USFQ

Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ is actively working with the Ministry of Public Health and the Government Council of Galapagos in a mass vaccination campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic, to make Galapagos the first immunized archipelago in Latin America.

In a short timeframe, USFQ was able to send a team of volunteer doctors and researchers to the islands to support various activities of the campaign, including the development of scientific studies, and dissemination and education materials to enhance the vaccination process.

A team from the Ministry of Public Health and USFQ starting one of the vaccination days on San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos

Among the necessary requirements for the implementation of the mass vaccination plan is the accomplishment of a scientific project that generates enough knowledge to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 around the world.

This project, led by USFQ, is multidisciplinary and participatory and will provide information on the sequencing of the complete SARS-CoV-2 genome in adult patients in the Galapagos Islands and the detection of viral variants that circulate on the islands. In addition, the project includes monitoring the socioeconomic impact of vaccination and a strong education and communication campaign.

The scientific protocol of the project was approved by the Ministry of Public Health, and includes eighteen doctors and seventeen multidisciplinary researchers from USFQ. This protocol may be applied in other regions of Ecuador, as required.

We appreciate the permanent commitment of the entire USFQ community, especially the doctors and researchers who are supporting in the Galapagos, to generate positive changes and contribute where they need are needed.

For more information about USFQ’s support in the mass vaccination campaign in Galapagos:

• Dr. Michelle Grunauer, Dean of the USFQ School of Medicine, mgrunauer@usfq.edu.ec
• Dr. Jaime Ocampo, Dean of the USFQ School of Public Health, jocampo@usfq.edu.ec
• Carlos Mena PhD, Director of the Galapagos Science Center and USFQ Extension Campus, cmena@usfq.edu.ec