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Pandemic vaccination in Cuba showed excellent results
But the selfless efforts of health staff and individual concerns of those vaccinated, the best of immunizations is the continuation of the daily hygiene
Luis Hern?ndez Serrano
serrano@juventudrebelde.cu
May 18, 2010 23:06:07 CDT
Although vaccination against H1N1 pandemic virus in our country will not end until next Saturday, and Cuba is considered as the first Latin American country whose population most at risk or priority group members according to their physical vulnerability, have been vaccinated with a coverage of 99 percent of the 14 provinces and the Isle of Youth and efficiency near 85 percent.
This was stated in a press conference held on Tuesday morning at the headquarters of the Ministry of Public Health in Havana, by Dr. Miguel Angel Galindo, advisor to the National Immunization Program and Dr. Milagros Le?n, Director of Nursing , both of that body.
Dr. Galindo, one of the most experienced Cuban specialists in vaccination of the Ministry of Public Health, offered a historical overview of the health status of desolation in our country before 1959 and how in these fifty years of revolution have saved hundreds of thousands children annually through immunization, reaching the 13 vaccines that each child receives today to protect the same number of diseases.
It was learned at the conference of 1 122 470 people most at risk of contracting the pandemic of H1N1 have been vaccinated so far 1,108,469, or 98.8 percent compliance of such a noble task.
In the second stage of the vaccination for children between six months old and nine years of a universe of 202 162 - have been vaccinated in the second dose and 157 388, almost 80 percent of schedule.
Dr. Milagros Le?n explained that a key role in this work have played the 110,000 Cuban nurses who participated in the pandemic virus immunization of 80 000 pregnant women and new mothers, one of the highest-risk groups.
It was announced that to date there have been only slightly more than 3600 symptoms or adverse reactions in vaccinated at all levels with a certain vulnerability, and of that figure only 18 percent with some discomfort or increased discomfort , as would be the case with any other vaccine.
It became apparent that despite the selfless efforts of health staff and individual concerns of those vaccinated, the best of immunizations is the continuation of daily hygiene measures aimed, like washing hands, for example and that in case of any acute respiratory symptom abnormal, seek medical attention without delay.