Menu

11/03/09 - Juventud Rebelde (Habana) - Vaccination against Seasonal
Influenza to Begin in
Cuba on November 9

The campaign takes place every year. This time it will extend over two weeks
and will involve 902 000 dosages. The vaccine gives protection against most
frequent colds this season but does not immunize against Influenza A (H1N1)

By: Luis Hernández Serrano

Email: serrano@juventudrebelde.cu

Cuba will start massive vaccination against seasonal influenza, or common
cold, on November 9. The yearly campaign will extend for 15 days and involve
902 000 dosages. The vaccine consists of a half cubic centimeter, one-time
intramuscular injection. During a press conference this weekend, Dr. Manuel
Santín Peña, national director for Epidemiology of the Cuban Ministry or
Public Health, said people to be vaccinated include those over 75 years of
age, diabetic, psychiatric and severe asthma patients, the elderly living in
nursing homes, children who are hospitalized, people with disabilities, and
workers in the poultry and pork industries. "The vaccine was made based on a
study by a panel of global experts on the three main strains of viruses that
are circulating today," Santín said.

Professor Miguel Angel Galindo, a leading expert and adviser to the vaccine
program, said an exceptional work had been done this time and in less than a
week the vaccine will be distributed nationwide. "It is not effective for
all viruses that may be making the rounds, but it does protect against the
most frequent ones this season. It does not immunize against Influenza A
(H1N1) though," the expert noted.

"The vaccine does not produce the disease in people because it is made from
dead viruses," said the director of Epidemiology, stressing that it was
important "to maintain the recommended hygiene measures as a way of reducing
the likelihood of contagion, because there is the additional factor of the
circulation of the pandemic [H1N1] virus." Once the vaccine is received, the
body produces an antibody response that takes around 21 days to immunize the
person vaccinated. There have been no serious adverse reactions to the
vaccine, but experts cautioned that in some cases it may cause some fever,
malaise or runny nose. The person to be vaccinated must not be suffering
from fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or any respiratory symptoms. "Although a
loss of 30 percent of dosage is internationally accepted, we will not allow
that to happen, because the vaccine is expensive, costing US$ 2.80 each, and
we have taken all necessary measures to avoid losses," explained Santín
Peña.