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Infants are immunized with the second dose of polio vaccine

From June 16th to 21st, the second phase of the 64th Oral Bivalent Polio Vaccination Campaign is taking place in the province of Holguin. Which will benefit more than 35,000 infants in the area.

Of these, 24,629 infants from one month old to one day before their third birthday. Who received the first dose during the first phase, are included. Along with nearly 10,700 nine-year-old children, who will be boosted with a dose.

This was specified by Norge Miguel Fernández Aguilera, provincial coordinator of the Vaccination Program. Stating that there are very specific cases where immunization is not recommended. Including children with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or those in states of immunosuppression. To whom the two drops will not be administered under the tongue until they are restored and evaluated by their attending physician.

For these specific cases, a recovery week was established from June 23rd to 28th, so that they can be immunized if their health has already been restored. The parents of the vaccinated children must ensure that 30 minutes before and after receiving the dose, the child does not consume water or any food to avoid the vaccine being expelled due to vomiting and regurgitation. As well as because the chlorine in the water also inactivates it.

Although there have already been 64 campaigns of bivalent oral poliomyelitis vaccination. It is important for families in Holguin and across Cuba to understand the importance of ensuring that no healthy child is left unvaccinated.

As this action helps maintain the status of eradication of this disease in Cuba. The history of this campaign in the largest of the Antilles dates back to 1962. When the first vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis was developed in Cuba, and in just four months, the eradication of this disease was achieved.

According to data provided by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), although the last confirmed case of poliomyelitis from wild poliovirus in the Region of the Americas occurred in 1991, the threat continues. Despite efforts for its eradication, there are still children in some Asian countries with permanent paralysis due to this virus, due to the risk of importation.

Specialized sources consulted agree that the polio virus enters the body through the mouth. Usually when hands have been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. It is so important for children to be immunized because if they contract polio.

Those with mild symptoms can make a full recovery after one or two weeks, but on the other hand, individuals with more severe symptoms may remain weak and even paralyzed for the rest of their lives, and some may even die from this disease.

Hence, the annual implementation of the two stages of this National Oral Poliomyelitis Vaccination Campaign is carried out under the direction, supervision, and evaluation of the Ministry of Public Health. It is focused on the child population because the individuals who contract the disease are mainly children.

Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez

Radio Angulo
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