HAVANA.- The vaccination campaign against seasonal influenza is beginning today throughout the country, aimed at children under two years of age, pregnant women and people over 75 years old, among other vulnerable groups.

Lena Lopez, head of the Immunization Program at the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, told the press that this time, about 1,040,000 doses will administrated, especially to children from six months old to two years of age, and all pregnant women.

Adults aged 75 and older, persons institutionalized in nursing homes, residential homes for the elderly and educational psychology centers, are among those who will be vaccinated.

Patients with chronic renal failure, asthmatic and diabetic people type I aged from 18 to 24 years old, those with cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis aged 18 and older, chronic psychiatric people in hospital and poultry and livestock workers, are also on the list.

Reducing serious morbidity due to this disease and mortality from pneumonia in those selected groups is one of the objectives of the campaign, which will run until September 30, the specialist said.

Cuba administers since birth the doses required for 12 different kinds of vaccines, aimed at preventing children from 13 diseases. Eight of them are produced in the island and all are offered free of charge.