Quimi-Vio vaccine

by María Josefina Arce

The Cuban immunogen Quimi-Vio against pneumococcus, the result of years of tireless work by the prestigious Finlay Vaccine Institute, began to be administered to children over the age of two.

It is a new achievement of Cuban biotechnology and a step forward in the protection of infants, since this bacterium is the cause of most pneumonia and bacterial meningitis, as well as other infections such as acute otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis.

Experts say Quimi-Vio protects against the seven most infectious and prevalent serotypes of pneumococcus in the Americas.

In July last year, it was granted a health registration by the Centre for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices, following a rigorous evaluation process and the completion of all required clinical trials demonstrating quality, safety and efficacy.

According to experts, eight clinical trials were carried out between 2012 and last year, involving around 37,000 children. Cienfuegos was one of the areas selected to carry out one of the trials in 2023. Ninety percent of children between the ages of one and five were vaccinated. A clinical trial had already been carried out in this central Cuban province between 2017 and 2018.

The long and thorough research process showed that one year after the children were vaccinated, the rate of hospitalizations due to respiratory disease fell by 63%.

There was also a 73% reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease due to the serotypes contained in Quimi-Vio.

This vaccine was developed by the same Finlay Institute researchers who developed the Soberana Plus and Soberana 02 immunogens for the prevention of COVID 19, with proven efficacy and safety.

Quimi-Vio is undoubtedly a new achievement in Cuban biotechnology, which once again demonstrates the commitment and high level of preparation of our scientific community, which, despite material limitations, is unwavering in its efforts to protect the health of Cubans.