AREQUIPA, Peru – Cuba’s National Health System will begin administering the 10-valent Pneumosil pneumococcal vaccine to all infants born this year starting September 9.
A report from the official agency Latin Press The report includes statements by Lena López, director of the National Immunization Program of the Ministry of Public Health, who explained that all infants born between January 1 and June 30 of this year will be vaccinated, which means approximately 27,500 infants.
He also noted that children born in July who reach two months of age will be immunized, the date established for the administration of the first dose in the vaccination schedule.
A first dose will be administered, followed by a second dose two months later, and a third booster dose seven months later.
Lopez stressed that the adverse effects The most common side effects that can occur with this vaccine are: muscle discomfort, redness or inflammation at the injection site, low-grade fever, and there is a very low risk of allergic reactions.
In the first week of September, the heads of immunization and the Maternal and Child Program will be trained on the characteristics and methods of application of Pneumosil 10 valent, with the participation of experts from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
According to the specialist, the vaccine is the most effective measure to prevent the disease.
Despite the crisis in the health system and the drug shortage In Cuba, with the introduction of 10-valent Pneumosil, the vaccination schedule on the Island reaches 17 immunizations, of which 12 are of national production.
The pneumococcal vaccine prevents 10 of the most common serotypes that cause invasive pneumococcal disease, mainly severe cases of acute meningitis, pneumonia or sepsis.
The doctor pointed out that Pneumosil has no contraindications with other immunizers in the program, such as the pentavalent and bivalent oral polio vaccines. She also said that the vaccine was acquired by the Cuban regime thanks to the Global Vaccine Alliance and the PAHO.
Last month, the regime also boasted about Quimi-Vio, an anti-pneumococcal vaccine that has just received health registration from the Center for the Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices of Cuba.
However, while the official press boasts about these scientific advances without mentioning the scarcity of resources in Cuban hospitals and the lack of supplies for treatment, many children suffer from the crisis in the health system.
Last year, eight newborns died at the Diez de Octubre Gynecological and Obstetric Hospital in Havana in the first two weeks of the year, recognized the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP).
According to the information, four of these children died with suspected signs of sepsis and the others from other causes related to their delicate state of health.
The brief note indicated that the hospital, popularly known as Hijas de Galicia, has adopted measures to deal with this situation; a National Commission of the Ministry of Public Health has been created to “investigate the causes of the incident and, based on the results, the relevant measures will be applied.”
