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Idiomas
H1N1 Immunization Program to Start in Cuban Eastern Province
CUBA, March 30, 2010. Around 88, 500 people from Santiago de Cuba will be immunized against the H1N1 virus in a campaign starting April 1 after the World Health Organization donated the vaccine to Cuba.
Dr. Joaquin Roberto Hing, in charge of the vaccination program in this eastern province, said the dose will be applied via intramuscular, and children under six who are allergic to components of chicken and egg protein, among other substances included in the shot, will be excluded.
The doctor said pregnant women and those within the term of 42 days after having given birth will receive the shot. Also children attending special schools and kindergartens and the workers in these centers will be vaccinated.
The program includes people with risk factors such as those suffering chronic diseases or who are immune-depressed like children and adolescents under 18 suffering heart malformations, oncology conditions, physically disabled and transplanted patients and HIV-AIDS patients, among others.
Likewise, the doctor said the vaccine will be administered to workers of mental hospitals, elderly homes and health personnel who take care of patients with respiratory conditions.
The immunization will cover other workers like those involved in the diagnosis of respiratory viruses as well as in ports, airports, health tourism, military institutions and high-performance sportspeople.
Dr. Hing explained that the vaccine is highly effective and it has few side effects; however, he recommends seeing a doctor in the presence of symptoms like headaches, joint pain, reactions in the area of the shot, fever or fatigue.
As second stage of the vaccination program will be held from May 3-15 for children from six months to nine years of age.
Cuban Health Deputy Minister Luis Estruch recently told the press that the WHO donated more than one million doses of the vaccine to Cuba. He thanked the UN body for the gesture which constitutes another possibility of protection for the Cuban people, Prensa Latina news agency reported. (Cubaminrex- ACN)