Political and mass organizations prop up vaccination campaign in central Cuba

CIENFUEGOS, Cuba, Aug 25 (ACN) Political and mass organizations are helping with the administration of the second dose of the vaccine Soberana Centro as part of its clinical trial in the province of Cienfuegos.

Yulién López Manso, a municipal leader of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, told ACN that in the days prior to the start of the study they organized a sanitation campaign to clean the streets, collect garbage, and disinfect facilities to maintain the hygienic sanitary measures and thus avoid any complication.

“Several neighbors joined these efforts, happy to be able to do their bit in favor of the ongoing campaign,” he said.

Young Communist League leader Dayana Arencibia Castillo, who also volunteered to participate, remarked the importance of keeping the facilities clean and comfortable for those who trust the Cuban researchers and scientists and thus offered to receive the vaccine candidate.

“As a young revolutionary of these times, I took the step forward, together with my sister. I already got the second dose and I feel fine,” she pointed out, “so I’m looking forward to the third one, which I will get on September 20. Until then, I must keep complying with the health protocols,
wearing two masks, washing my hands constantly, and respecting social distancing.”

Dr. Meiby de la Caridad Rodriguez Gonzalez, director of clinical research at the Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV), says that she always talks with the volunteers and explains to them that Soberana will help them to preserve their health, but they must keep following doctor’s orders, since they are not yet sufficiently immune to the new coronavirus.

This study aims to compare the immune responses induced by Soberana 01 and 02—this one spiked with Soberana Plus—in order to obtain several candidates capable of tackling the circulation of new SARS CoV-2 variants.

Soberana 02 and Plus were recently approved for emergency use by the Center for State Control of Drugs, Equipment and Medical Devices.