The  National Oral Bivalent Polio Vaccination Campaign started its first stage Monday, and it will last until March 7.  The second phase is scheduled from April 27 to May 2, coinciding with the 18th Vaccination Week of the Americas.

The campaign has taken place for 59 consecutive years.  It dates back to 1963.  Since then, Cuba has remained polio-free.

This vaccination drive will immunize a total of 461,994 children in two stages with two doses of the bivalent oral polio vaccine, or reactivate them with one treatment.

According to Prensa Latina news agencies, after the week in which each stage is carried out, there will be a recovery period for those who were not able to receive the medicine on the scheduled dates.