Global Update: Holidays, Hep B Vaccines, and Free Rides

Dynavax hepatitis B vaccine is packed for distribution in a cold shipper in one of Direct Relief's cold rooms. (Direct Relief photo)

By Staff

December 10, 2021

In Summary

Direct Relief has helped ship more than 10 million Covid-19 vaccines to Mexico.
In conjunction with new CDC guidelines, a Dynavax donation aims to increase hepatitis B vaccination.
Businesses including Starbucks and Google are getting creative with their holiday giving campaigns.
Uber rides are helping patients without transportation receive Covid-19 vaccines.

Top Stories

Dynavax Donation Aims to Increase Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Uninsured Adults

The situation: More than 2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis B. Without proper treatment, one in four of these individuals will die from liver failure or cancer. New CDC recommendations advise universal hepatitis B vaccination for adults aged 19 to 59.

The response: Dynavax has donated 10,000 doses of its hepatitis B vaccine to Direct Relief for distribution to uninsured patients.

The impact: Patients receiving care in public health settings and at federally qualified health centers will receive vaccinations, which are vital in eliminating viral hepatitis.

During the Holiday Season, Companies Choose Creative Ways to Give

A shipment of 33 pallets was packed this week in Direct Relief’s warehouse and prepped for delivery via air freight to Asociación Vida Peru (Maeve O’Connor/Direct Relief)

The situation: The holiday season is a crucial time for nonprofits. In December alone, nonprofits receive on average nearly a quarter of their annual revenue.

The response: Many businesses are electing to make generous gifts this holiday season through various campaigns. Included among them:

The Starbucks Foundation recently launched “You Vote, We Give” — a campaign where people can vote to allocate a total of $1 million among three charities: Direct Relief, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and World Central Kitchen. The charity with the most votes by December 15 will receive $500,000.The other two will receive $300,000 and $200,000, respectively, based on votes.
TikTok, to raise awareness of good causes, is supporting nonprofits such as Direct Relief with a donation of advertising credit to use on its platform.
Google is also helping raise awareness for Direct Relief’s work through ad grants.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the Golden Globes, provided a grant to help with emergency response in the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake.
The band OK Go is donating 10% of net proceeds from its online shop to the organization.
And for fans of the video game Destiny, The Bungie Foundation is hosting the third annual global charity event Game2Give ’21, which features exclusive in-game rewards that support charities like Direct Relief.

The impact: The funding and other support Direct Relief receives from campaigns such as these will enable everything from infectious and chronic disease treatments to maternal health care, enabling the organization to continue its vital activities in the U.S. and worldwide.

Direct Relief Has Helped Ship More than 10 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Doses to Mexico

On Dec. 2, 2021, more than 2.1 million doses of Astrazeneca vaccine arrived in Toluca, Mexico, as a result of a donation between the U.S. and Mexico governments, with logistical support from Direct Relief. The organization, in close coordination with FedEx, has assisted with the delivery of more than 10 million Covid-19 doses between the two countries. (Photos courtesy of U.S. Health and Human Services)

The situation: As the U.S. government provides Covid-19 vaccine doses to Mexico, the Mexican government has repeatedly asked Direct Relief to provide logistical support for incoming shipments.

The response: Direct Relief, in coordination with FedEx, has supported the delivery of more than 10 million Covid-19 vaccine doses between the two countries, acting as the licensed distributor importing the shipments.

The impact: The distribution of millions of Covid-19 vaccines will help control the virus’s spread.

Patients with Transportation Barriers Get a Ride to Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments

Direct Relief Pharmacist Alycia Clark prepares Covid-19 vaccines for patients at a Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic-run vaccination clinic at Direct Relief’s headquarters. The event was the first of several that will be held in order to vaccinate the clinic’s patients, many of whom are low-income or uninsured. (Photo by Tony Morain for Direct Relief)

The situation: For patients who rely on infrequent public transportation or have other barriers to care, just getting to a clinic for a Covid-19 vaccine can be a significant challenge.

In partnership with Direct Relief, the response: Uber is providing credits through the end of the year via Direct Relief to get patients to vaccine appointments. The company offered to give rides for as many as 200,000 patients, so they could travel to receive a vaccine and return home.

The impact: One health center in the San Francisco Bay Area reported that younger patients, in particular, have responded positively to having a ride-sharing option.

In Brief

The United States

Over the past two weeks, Direct Relief has made 702 shipments to 447 partners in 48 states and territories, totaling $2.7 million in value and more than 7,600 pounds.
During the same period, $1.5 million in grants was distributed.
In Detroit, a team care model is increasing support for diabetic patients.
Improving the health outcomes of African migrants in the U.S. will depend on community-building work, Direct Relief research finds.

Around the World

In the past two weeks, Direct Relief has made 34 shipments to 31 partners in 18 countries, totaling $36.6 million in value and more than 376,482 pounds.
For women in sub-Saharan Africa, pregnancy comes with increased risks, challenges.