U.S. European Command Provides Second Series of Hepatitis A Vaccines for Bathore and Zallher Children (February 14, 2008)

The United States European Command, through the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC), donated 1000 doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine to the local health clinic for children living in Bathore and Zallher area. The vaccine donation is part of ODC’s Humanitarian Assistance program. The total cost of the Hepatitis A vaccination program for the children of this area is 30,000 dollars.

Children of all ages received the second series of the Hepatitis A immunization of 1000 children in the area of Zallher and Bathore from medically trained members of the U.S. New Jersey Army National Guard, currently involved in a Military to Military activity with Albanian Armed Forces. The vaccine provides protection from Hepatitis A, a viral disease that is often transmitted by contaminated food or water.

The Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) manages the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Assistance program, providing direct humanitarian assistance to the Albanian people. This program has been active in Albania since 1996, providing supplies and medical facilities, rebuilding schools, developing water projects and other non-military projects.