Dom Bosco Catholic University vaccine clinic administers 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine

(MissionNewswire) Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB) in Campo Grande, Brazil, has been hosting a drive-in vaccination center since mid-2021. It was the first and only one in the city’s northern region. In just five months of operation, the center administered 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which helps contribute to a sharp decline in the transmission of the virus, hospitalizations and deaths from the disease.

The drive-in vaccination center was officially opened June 24 in collaboration with the Municipality of Campo Grande through the Municipal Secretariat of Health. Covered courtyards were transformed to receive vehicles safely and so teams could work with comfort and agility. An accessible path to the site was made without disturbing the flow of people circulating through the campus. Eight stations were initially built and then seven more were added to meet the high demand. The drive-in vaccine clinic was made possible through the commitment and dedication of more than 100 employees who collaborated in the management of the site.

“I want to say thank you to our students, teachers and administrative staff who have given everything to vaccinate the population and help us overcome this pandemic, which has claimed so many victims. There is no doubt that the UCDB academic community has made a difference and helped save many lives,” said Father José Marinoni, dean of UCDB.

The university also opened a vaccination room for those who walked to the campus. Today, the campus is the preferred vaccination center for thousands of people who have expressed their gratitude for the care they received.

“My greatest satisfaction is knowing that I am contributing to the immunization of the population, and this gives me the hope that little by little, this pandemic will be over and we will be able to return to normal,” explained Themis Elise de Oliveira Moraes, a 20-year-old student in the nursing course who was one of the volunteers.

Professor Cristiano Marcelo Espínola Carvalho, vice rector for research and postgraduate studies, added, “This is a milestone that fills us with pride. In a short time, we have seen a huge involvement of our academic community to fulfill this project and we can say, with all certainty, that it has been very successful. We all gain from this experience, and the UCDB fulfills its social role of helping the population, which always embraces us with great affection.”

Brazil has one of the strongest economies in Latin America and is an important agricultural and industrial power in the region. Just over 15 percent of Brazilians live in poverty, with the majority living in the rural northeast of the country, according to the World Bank. While Brazil is making positive changes, there are still large gaps between the poor and the rich, and issues of income inequality and social exclusion remain at the root of poverty.

Inequalities also exist in access to education and educational efficiency. These inequalities are greatest for children and youth who are poor, live in rural areas or who have an incomplete compulsory education. Salesian missionaries working with poor youth and their families in Brazil develop programs and provide youth opportunities for furthering their education and skills.

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ANS – Brazil – “Dom Bosco” Catholic University reaches milestone of 100,000 vaccine doses administered

Don Bosco Catholic University

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