Immunizing Half Million Children against Poliomyelitis

By: Iris Armas Padrino

Half million Cuban children are to be immunized in the first stage of the XLIII the Anti-Poliomyelitis Vaccination National Campaign beginning February 29 and closing March 4.

It’s foreseen 407 552 minors ranging between (30 days-old up to 2 years 11 months and 29 days) will now receive the first dosage and the second one by April 15 – 22.

Dr. Miguel Ángel Galindo, National Chief of the Public Health Immunization Program, explained a liquid dosage is to be given out to children between 9 to 12 years-old-11-month-and-29 days also in April.

He stressed more than 71 million anti-polio dosages have been supplied since 1962 to 2003 in a locality where inhabitants under 57 are protected against that disease.

The campaign is dedicated to Dr. Tomás Romay, who on introduced here the first vaccine against small pock fortunately eradicated by 1921.

The Cuban vaccination program ranks first in the world regarding 6 preventable diseases (Poliomyelitis, diphtheria, measles, German measles, parotiditis) have been eliminated through the program, reported Galindo.

Also tetanus, syndrome of congenital German measles and post-parotiditis meningoencephalitis in newborns have been eliminated nationally, whereas tetanus and type B Haemophilus Influenza are no more considered serious health problems in Cuba.

Currently, the local biotechnological industry is in process of manufacturing 7 vaccines out of the total 10 apply nationwide, except for tuberculosis, measles, German measles and parotiditis and poliomyelitis which are imported, added the health official.(February/2004)

(Taken from: Cubasí)

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