Cuban Vaccination Extolled
Havana, Dec 29 (Prensa Latina) Cuba´s National Immunization Program, which protects children from 13 diseases, covered 95 percent of the island´s child population in 2005, according to program chief Miguel Galindo.
The health official mentioned the eradication of tetanus for the second consecutive year as the program´s most important achievement, which puts the country in a predominant place in the world.
Cuba has also achieved an extraordinary reduction in the Haemophilus influenzae, thanks to the recent introduction of a local-made synthetic vaccine, Galindo said.
An essential breakthrough in immunization that also shows the island´s progress in genetic engineering is the recent development of a tetravalent antigen that protects children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and hepatitis.
Galindo explained that Cuban scientists are preparing a pentavalent combination vaccine that could be ready for use by mid-2006.
Referring to plans for 2006, Galindo said they are aimed at providing a larger coverage and curbed the occurrence of preventable diseases.
Year 2006 will mark the 45th anniversary of the first vaccination campaign carried out in Cuba against poliomyelitis in 1961, which led to the creation of the National Immunization Programme.
The World Health Organization and other UN-related bodies have repeatedly extolled Cuban health indicators thanks to adequate prevention and excellent primary care.