Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health received 386,990 doses of the acellular hexavalent vaccine and 50,000 doses of the acellular quadrivalent vaccine to strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and ensure free, timely protection for children against preventable diseases. The hexavalent vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacteria that can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis. The quadrivalent vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio and is administered as a booster at 4 years of age. The doses have already been distributed through the National Vaccination Network and are available free of charge at more than 1,350 vaccination centers nationwide. It also expects to receive additional vaccine shipments in the coming weeks to strengthen national supplies and maintain immunization coverage.