The Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices of Cuba approved the start of the trials of the vaccine candidate Mambisa as a booster dose for immunization against covid-19, reported this Saturday the developer of the drug, Engineering Center Genetics and Biotechnology of Cuba (CIBG).
As explained by the center on its Twitter account, the vaccine will be tested “in previously vaccinated subjects, where its effect and safety will be evaluated.”
The particularity of Mambisa
The development of Mambisa was announced at the beginning of last November. It focuses on immunization through the nasal route because the virus causes respiratory diseases and its spread is through nasal epithelial cells, which are the gateway for infection and initial transmission. Nasal immunization favors the development of a local response in order to prevent the contracting of the disease, the colonization of the virus and the transmission of the pathogen. However, it also has another formulation suitable for intramuscular injection.
Mambisa is not the first intranasal vaccine developed in Cuba. The country’s health authorities already registered one against hepatitis B in 2015, which is applied in the same way.
Mass vaccination in Cuba
As for other vaccines against covid-19, for now on the island they have been certified and three produced in the country are widely applied: Soberana 02, Soberana Plus and Abdala. According to the latest data from the Cuban Ministry of Health, 8,991,195 people have already been fully vaccinated with them, 80.4% of the island’s population.
As a result of this vaccination campaign, the country currently has fewer than 300 daily infections and about 1,400 active cases of coronavirus. As for those killed by the pandemic, this Saturday 3 new deaths were reported.
Likewise, this Monday Cuba announced the lifting of several pandemic restrictions. In particular, face-to-face classes were restarted and borders were reopened, giving hope for the reestablishment of tourism, a crucial industry for the island.
