HAVANA.- Under the slogan "Reinforce your defense, immunize yourself. Vaccines work, " the 58th Polio Vaccination Campaign began.

The first stage, which will be extended until March 2nd, children, from 30 days of birth to 2 years, 11 months and 29 days, will be immunized.

These children will receive another dose in the second stage, planned from April 22 to 27, coinciding with the sixteenth week of vaccination in the Americas, and will also be reactivated with a dose of Immunogen 19955 nine-year-olds kids for a total of 81 1246 children, she explained.

Cuba has the human and material resources to carry out this vaccination campaign (orally) in doses of two drops.

From 1962 to 2018 have been applied throughout Cuba 85.2 million doses of the polio vaccine, which has guaranteed the protection of the Cuban population under 71 years of age.

The implementation of the national immunization program has eliminated diseases such as polio, diphtheria, measles, pertussis, rubella, and mumps, as well as two severe clinical forms in children under one year: neonatal tetanus and tuberculous meningitis.

Also the elimination of two of the most serious clinical complications: Congenital rubella syndrome and post-mumps meningitis, among other achievements.

Thanks to this universal, comprehensive, participatory and accessible program, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis are no longer a health problem and have reduced morbidity and mortality by more than 95 percent of the typhoid fever, the disease Meningococcal and hepatitis B, said also deputy director of the Provincial Health Directorate.

Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez