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• 02 / 28 / 2010

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Cuba will start the next March 5th its 49th national immunization campaign against polio and in the two projected stages more than half a million children will be immunized.

The first phase will last until March 11 and is aimed to provide an oral dose of vaccine (two drops) to 357 thousand 313 children under age three.

Then, from April 23 to April 29, these children will be given a second dose, and 143 thousand 80 nine-year infants will profit again, the process dates back to 1962.

According to experts, the "anti-polio" should not be given to those who have high fever, vomiting or diarrhea, and is contraindicated in children with immunodeficiency and those who are allergic to any of its components.

During the nearly half century of this initiative, Cuba has implemented more than 78 million doses of this vaccine, which guarantees the protection of the population under 62 years of age.

Polio is a contagious disease that affects the nervous system, and its more severe symptoms show with the inflammation of motor neurons of the spinal marrow and brain to cause paralysis and muscular atrophy permanently.

This Caribbean island has also eliminated other vaccine-preventable diseases: diphtheria, in 1979, measles (1993), rubella and pertussis (1994).

Moreover, Cuba has also eradicated neonatal tetanus (1972), congenital rubella syndrome and mumps meningoencephalitis (1989).

Source: Ahora.Cu