Ciego de Ávila is preparing to begin its 65th vaccination campaign against polio, a crucial effort to protect child health in the region.

This process will take place simultaneously across the entire Avilanian territory, ensuring that all children have access to the vaccine.

The campaign will be carried out in two stages. The first stage will begin on 27 April and run until 2 May, with a catch-up week from 4 to 9 May.

During this phase, all children over one month old and under three years of age will be vaccinated, receiving their first dose. It is estimated that a total of 9,232 children will receive this initial dose, out of a total of 13,923 children who will be vaccinated.

Beatriz Barrera Lastre, the campaign officer for the province, noted that the second stage is scheduled for 15 to 20 June, with a catch-up week from 22 to 27 June.

In this phase, a second dose will be administered to children who received the first in the previous stage, as well as a booster dose for 9-year-old children.

She also highlighted that, to facilitate this process, 32 certified vaccination centres have been set up across the province, where qualified nurses will be in charge of administering the vaccines.

«It is important to take certain precautions during vaccination. It is recommended not to drink water for 30 minutes before and after vaccination. Furthermore, there are specific contraindications: the vaccine should not be given to children with immunodeficiencies,» noted Barrera Lastre.

This campaign represents a fundamental step in the fight against polio, a vaccine-preventable disease, and it is essential that all parents and caregivers participate and ensure that their children receive the corresponding vaccines.