Guantánamo.- This morning, a vaccination campaign against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) was carried out at Fabio Rossell School, which belongs to the health area of the Emilio Daudinot Bueno Polyclinic. This initiative is aimed at 4th-grade girls, ages 9 and up, and is part of Cuba’s National Immunization Program.
Cecolin is used in a single-dose schedule and achieved World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification in 2021, a designation that ensures a vaccine meets strict international quality, safety, and efficacy standards.
Vaccination is fundamental in the prevention of cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death among Cuban women. Through this campaign, a total of 68,000 doses are expected to be administered to girls in the fourth grade in Cuba, who meet the required age. Those who are under nine years old at the time of vaccination will have the opportunity to receive it when they reach that age at their local health center.
This remarkable effort in the fight against cervical cancer would not be possible without the close collaboration and financial and technical support of and that allows it to be procured by United Nations agencies and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. These organizations have played a crucial role in the implementation of this campaign, reinforcing the importance of working together to achieve public health goals.
The introduction of the bivalent Cecolin vaccine into the National Immunization Program represents a significant advance in the Cuban health system’s capacity to reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. This action reaffirms the country’s commitment to health promotion and disease prevention, guaranteeing equity, quality, and sustainability in healthcare.
The HPV immunization campaign in Cuba will continue until January 31, 2026, marking a milestone in protecting future generations. Vaccinating our nine-year-old girls means taking a proactive approach in the fight against a disease that still affects so many women in our country, thus building a healthier future for all.
