More Than Half a Million People Have Received COVID Vaccinations in Cuba

Health care officials reported today that 612,376 people have received COVID vaccinations in Cuba. They also predict the majority of the population will be vaccinated by the end of August.

According to records released by the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), a total of 326,001 health care workers and persons from vulnerable groups have already received the first or second dose of the Soberana 02 or Abdala. Across the provinces, 286,375 at risk persons and those aged 19 and older have been vaccinated.

To date, the made-in-Cuba Abdala and Soberana 02 vaccine candidates have been approved for use.

The Abdala is one of the five vaccine candidates developed by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and the Finlay Institute.

Vaccinations began on May 12 in the municipalities of Regla, Habana del Este, Guanabacoa, and San Miguel del Padron where 53.7 percent of the population have received their first vaccine.

The municipalities of Plaza de la Revolucion, Playa, Central Havana, Old Havana, 10th of October, La Lisa and Marianao (population of 928,627), will receive vaccinations beginning in mid June.

Today the vaccination program for the municipality of Isla de la Juventud, with a population of 48,664, will begin.

Vaccinations in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas, and Pinar del Rio are in process. In the Matanzas resort of Varadero, over 3,000 tourism employees have been vaccinated, vitally important for the reopening of the industry to receive international tourists.

Seniors and people aged 40 to 59 years of age will begin COVID vaccinations on June 15. MINSAP expects at least 70% of adults to be fully vaccinated with the Abdala or Soberana 02 vaccines by the end of the summer, encouraging a gradual return to normal daily activities and life.

MINSAP reports there are 1,252 new cases of COVID19 today.