Pediatric vaccination campaign against Covid. Photo/Cubadebate

By María Josefina Arce

The month of September concludes with remarkable and encouraging advances in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19, developed by Cuba with its own immunosystems, which places it at the head of Latin American countries with the highest percentage of the population, more than 80 %, who have received at least one dose of a vaccine against the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

At present, more than nine million Cubans have received at least one dose of our immunogens, which have proven efficacy and do not cause significant adverse reactions, as demonstrated in the clinical trials carried out.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, more than five million citizens are already fully immunized.

Enormous efforts have been made by the authorities and health personnel to organize and successfully carry out this campaign, which has allowed 200,000 doses and even more to be administered daily.

A positive result that has also been possible thanks to our pharmaceutical industry, which has guaranteed the required doses in due time and form, despite the obstacles imposed by the U.S. blockade.

The process has been expanding and Cuba has also become the first country in the world to authorize an anti-COVID 19 child immunization campaign. Nearly two million doses have already been administered in age groups from two to 18 years old.

Precisely in his Twitter account, Cuban President Miguel Díaz Canel highlighted the progress and quality of the immunization process of the pediatric population. "History is being made in Cuba," he emphasized.

Also in recent days, the emergency use of the Soberana Plus vaccine was authorized for convalescents of the disease over 19 years of age. The approval is based on the results of the clinical trials, after demonstrating the quality, safety and immunogenicity requirements.

There are also thimerosal-free doses for people who are allergic to this substance, which also includes infants.

And the good news continues, since the Center for State Control of Drugs, Equipment and Medical Devices authorized the start of the clinical trial of Soberana Plus for children convalescing from the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

The television program Mesa Redonda reported that it will begin with approximately 530 children in Havana and the city of Cienfuegos, in the center of the country.

Cuba has not believed in the difficulties, which for the country are greater due to the tightening of the U.S. blockade. Our scientific community has once again put its talent and dedication at the service of the population's health and given life to our own vaccines.

A noble and humanitarian effort that has been supported at all times by the authorities, who in close coordination with the specialists are carrying out a universal, staggered and intensive anti-COVID 19 vaccination strategy to protect every Cuban.