Polio vaccination at the Máximo Gómez health area in the provincial capital. Photo: Kevin Manuel Noya/Radio Angulo

First stage of the 65th polio vaccination campaign begins in Holguin

The first stage of the 65th Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine Campaign is taking place in Holguin until May 2nd. According to Dr. Norge Fernández Aguilera, head of the vaccination program in the province. 21,997 children between one month and one day before their third birthday are scheduled to be vaccinated during this stage.

Education about polio and the importance of vaccination against this serious disease. It is key to keeping young children healthy and preventing future outbreaks.

The vaccine is relatively safe. Parents should prevent their children from drinking water or eating anything for 30 minutes before and after receiving the two sublingual drops. This precaution is essential to ensure that the vaccine is not eliminated through vomiting or regurgitation. Or that its effect is not inactivated by the chlorine in the water.

First stage of the 65th polio vaccination campaign begins in Holguin 0
Polio vaccination, children from Holguin
Photo: Kevin Manuel Noya/Radio Angulo

Primary Health Care is leading the implementation of this campaign at vaccination centers located in medical offices, polyclinics, or designated sites. It is taking advantage of the coincidence with Vaccination Week 24 in the Americas and World Immunization Week 15. To update overdue doses of other vaccines such as the pentavalent vaccine, Neumosil, and MMR.

On this occasion, Dr. Fernández Aguilera emphasized the importance of keeping vaccination schedules up to date. He warned that if some children are not vaccinated, they become susceptible. And when several of these cases accumulate, cases of eradicated diseases can reappear and re-emerge.
First stage of the 65th polio vaccination campaign begins in Holguin 1
65th Polio Vaccination Campaign, Holguin
Photo: Kevin Manuel Noya/Radio Angulo

Despite the complex economic context we are experiencing, the vaccination campaign has begun in hard-to-reach areas. Due to the priority given to this program. The Cuban Health System is governed by essential principles: comprehensiveness, universality, and accessibility. Thanks to the support of the authorities and international organizations. Such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF. Which ensure the continued operation of the National Immunization Program.

The start of the polio vaccination campaign in Holguin is another step toward protecting children’s health. In the pursuit of the definitive eradication of this disease in Cuba.

First stage of the 65th polio vaccination campaign begins in Holguin 2
Polio Vaccine, Holguin, Cuba
Photo: Kevin Manuel Noya/Radio Angulo

Health authorities are urging parents and families to promptly enroll children. Under three years old in this year’s campaign, the second phase of which is scheduled for June 15-20th.

Polio is a highly contagious viral disease with serious consequences for children’s health. For this reason, this immunization has been carried out annually in Cuba since 1962. To protect children and prevent the spread of the virus.

The Cuban population under 64 years of age is protected against this disease.

Maylín Betancourt Verdecia
Latest posts by Maylín Betancourt Verdecia (see all)