A founder and current consultant for the National Immunization Program, Dr. Miguel Angel Galindo, told AIN that before the end of the campaign, a second dose of the vaccine (two drops taken orally) will be given to more than 343,000 children who are between one month and three years of age.

In addition, the vaccine will be reactivated among nearly 142,000 nine-year-olds during that same period, said Dr. Galindo.

As is traditional, the campaign will be led by the doctors and nurses of the Family Doctor's Office Program in each community, and with the support of leaders of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution in each neighborhood, said the physician.

The vaccine is not used on children with immunodefiency problems or on those who are allergic to any of its components; nor is it given to any child who is experiencing high fever, vomiting or diarrhea, emphasized the doctor.

Poliomyelitis was eliminated in Cuba in May 1962, making it the first country in the American continent to rid itself of the disease. Seventy six million doses have been applied up to 2007, meaning that all island residents younger than 61 years of age are protected against polio.

Likewise, the program head, Dr. Marlen Valcarcel, said children in Cuba are protected against thirteen other diseases thanks to eleven vaccines - eight of which are produced in Cuba.

In addition to poliomyelitis, diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough, measles and German measles have been eradicated thanks to the immunization program.

(www.cubanews.ain.cu)