Illustrative image is taken from Archivo/RHC

Havana, January 14 (RHC)-- The digital site Newsmondo, from Italy, published Friday the analysis of a specialist who confirms that the Cuban vaccine Soberana 02 is more effective and safer against COVID-19 than those used in western nations, however, it is underestimated and its importation is hindered.

In her study, researcher Francesca Leoci refers to the quality of this drug, together with Soberana Plus, also from the Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV), and Abdala, from the Center for Engineering and Biotechnology.

Leoci says that a recent United Nations report entitled "COVID-19 and Vaccinations in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges, needs and opportunities," defined Cuba as the best producer of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the region.

It also pointed out that the island used the Soberana 02 vaccine in its population before most of the more developed countries.

On the other hand, the British specialized publication The Lancet has said since mid-2021 that Soberana 02 is effective and safe against COVID-19, "even more than those used in the West," the note added.

In February 2022, the Italian TV channel Rai 3 broadcasted an hour and 20 minutes long report from Havana, in which the efficacy and safety of Soberana 02, developed by the Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV) was highlighted.

This report also published on the official website of the Italian Trade and Investment Agency (ITA), highlighted its effective application to 1.6 million children in Cuba among other aspects.

It also referred to the fact that with the administration of this drug and Abdala, the Caribbean country ranked second in the world in terms of the percentage of the immunized population.

As of January 11, 2023, 42 million 868 thousand 362 doses of Soberana 02, Soberana Plus, and Abdala had been administered in Cuba.  Meanwhile, 10 million 720 thousand 997 people received one dose; 9 million 443 thousand 138 received the second dose, and 9 million 144 thousand 44 of the 11.2 million inhabitants of the island have been vaccinated with the third dose.

In April 2022, a memorandum was signed between the IFV and the Italian company Adienne Pharma & Biotech, also signed by the Agency for Economic and Cultural Exchange with Cuba (AICEC), to formulate and package this Cuban vaccine in Italy.