The Foundation awards the trajectory Balmis Doctor vacunólogo prestigious José Antonio Navarro.

First edition of the awards dedicated to Vaccinology, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Doctor Balmis Foundation, created under the auspices of the Rotary Club Alicante, sponsored by Esteve, created the prizes that bear his name to distinguish the most important personalities in the field of Vaccinology, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Spanish. In this first edition, which has an annual continuity, has recognized the professional work of Dr. Jose Antonio Navarro Alonso, currently Chief of Vaccinology, Health Promotion and Protection of the Regional Government of Murcia.

Member of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology, Navarro Alonso also part of the Vaccine Safety Project of the World Health Organization and the European Advisory Group on Vaccines and Immunizations, among many other agencies. Collected the award yesterday Friday, January 23 in Alicante, from the hands of Health Minister, Bernat Soria, and in the presence of leading authorities from the health and social, that in this way support the philosophy of service delivery and community Award promotes.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Balmis Foundation aims to disseminate the values they embody the figure of this great figure of the eighteenth century, which enjoys great recognition in the Latin American countries and in the Philippines but is widely unknown in Spain and their homeland, Alicante.

Francisco Javier Balmis dedicated his life to medicine and pioneered the study of the applications of the vaccine, especially smallpox, considered a pest that has caused more deaths in the human species. He starred in one of the most impressive feats of Medicine, by spreading the vaccine in a philanthropic expedition that sailed around the world. It was inspired by Rotary International in the achievement of Dr. Balmis to develop the Polio Plus campaign, through which virtually eradicated polio in the world, through the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of children.

The Award ceremony was held yesterday, January 23 at 21.30 at Hotel Sidi San Juan (Alicante), usual venue of the Rotary Club of Alicante, currently chaired by Dr. Jorge Alió, who also chairs the Foundation Doctor Balmis.


Bet on vaccines Esteve
Esteve, sponsor of the Doctor Balmis Foundation Award, is a chemical-pharmaceutical group leader in Spain and with a strong international presence. Currently the Group provides a comprehensive solution within the health sector with a variety of segments in which it is active. The presence in the field of vaccines Esteve has materialized on the one hand, through the market (since 2000) of a broad portfolio of vaccines within the fields of influenza and meningitis, and more recently through incorporation into a project with the Catalan Center for Research and AIDS Vaccine Development (HIVACAT), a public-private initiative that has focused on developing a vaccine for HIV.

Esteve has expanded its scope of action towards preventive medicine, in particular vaccines. More and more diseases preventable through vaccines, and Balmis Awards initiative responds to the social commitment of Esteve.