By María Josefina Arce
The WHO, World Health Organization, warned about the increase worldwide of measles cases and deaths associated with that disease, in view of the decrease in vaccination coverage, a scenario that worsened with the COVID 19 pandemic.
A recent report by the world organization states that last year there was an 18% increase in measles cases, while deaths grew 43% compared to 2021.
In Cuba, the strategy implemented for the eradication of this highly contagious viral disease made it possible to interrupt its transmission and circulation.
In 1993, this disease, which can cause serious complications, was eliminated in the national territory, thanks to systematic vaccination campaigns, initiated more than six decades ago by Cuban authorities, which have also made it possible for other diseases not to be a health problem.
The National Immunization Program, which is free and universal, has been maintained all these years, despite the limitations imposed by the U.S. blockade on the acquisition of the necessary supplies.
The country has never left its children unprotected against measles and other diseases. Thus, in the midst of the complex situation created by COVID 19 and although most of the health personnel focused on confronting the virus, a new vaccination campaign was carried out in the country.
The necessary measures were strictly observed in the centers assigned to this task, in order to avoid the infection of children with the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
In this effort to immunize its child population, the country has been accompanied by UNICEF, the UN Children's Fund, with the donation of vaccines and essential materials to maintain adequate hygienic conditions at the vaccination sites.
It has also made it possible to reinforce the cold chain in the health institutions in charge of administering immunogens and guaranteeing their conservation.
Cuba has spared no effort to maintain high vaccination coverage of the child population and active health surveillance, thus protecting them from measles and various diseases that can affect their development and even cause death.
