Cuban Meningitis Vaccine Used in Dozens of Countries

CUBA, January 23, 2007.- More than 51 million doses of a Cuban vaccine against brain and spinal meningitis have been applied in dozens of countries since its discovery by Cuban doctors nearly 20 years ago.

Dr. Concepcion Campa, director of the Carlos J. Finlay Institute in Havana, said the medicine called Va-Mengoc-BC is the only one of its type in the world used to counteract the effects of all forms of meningitis types B and C, a highly deadly disease that develops in the form of rashes.

In 1991 in Cuba, the vaccine was included in the national program for the immunization of three- and-a-half-month-old infants, with a second dose given at five-and-a-half-months. Thanks to this action, meningitis was eradicated in the country and has been kept under control since.

Campa Huergo, spoke on the impact of the vaccine at a conference that ends January 23, celebrating the 122nd Anniversary of the Calixto Garcia University Hospital.