CAMAGUEY.- Immunization with the Sovereign vaccine for pediatric ages will begin on September 14 with those from 11 to 18 years old and on September 17 with those from 2 to 10 years old. The group of terminal pre-university degrees and polytechnic education maintains its vaccination cycle with Abdala, which began on September 3.
As Dr. Sonia María González Vega, head of Primary Care in the province, explained to Adelante.cu, they will receive Soberana-02 with a scheme in which the second dose is applied 28 days after the first and the third on day 56.
"This is a very safe vaccine, which is already approved by Cecmed for use in minors, and it has been proven that its efficacy is greater in pediatric ages than in adults."
The 11 to 18-year-old group (about 34,461) will be vaccinated in 170 sites, located in educational centers and it will be done in the field, that is, the largest number of children in the least amount of time possible, until the evening hours, and if necessary also Saturdays and Sundays, with one vaccinator for every 80 infants.
The third group (74 834 children between two and 10 years old) will do so in the polyclinics' vaccination sites, which are the ones that assume the national immunization program and have all the conditions to carry out the process safely.
Children of different age groups will not interbreed at the same sites. Even in those large schools different inflows and outflows will be made so that they do not coincide.
The doctor clarified that the summons to families is the responsibility of Education, and added that the process is intended to be carried out in two days by groups, although there will always be children deferred, as has already happened with the 321 of the first group of terminal grades who could not be vaccinated for different reasons but are identified and cited for recovery.
A universe of 6,500 young people was included in that first segment since September 3, which must continue the scheme on September 17 and finish it on October 1st., to start the school year on the 4th.
This group between 16 and 18 years of age, with a universe of 6,500 young people, includes the students of the culmination years: twelfth grade of pre-university, third of technical education and third and fourth of pedagogical. The vaccination centers operate in 61 schools certified for this purpose in their municipalities of residence.
“They were chosen according to compliance with biosafety measures and the universe of each territory. The pertinent arrangements were also made for the transfer of the students to the centers and in the event that access or remoteness does not allow it, the vaccine will be taken to the communities, an experience that has already given us results ”, assured Dr. González Vega.
“The totals to be vaccinated may decrease as the interviews show some of the reasons for discarding such as decompensated diseases, those who have had COVID-19, or who are allergic to thiomersal.
“Another significant element is that, although the clinical trial with Abdala in these ages has not yet concluded, its efficacy in said age group has been proven due to its use, already approved, in pregnant women over 15 years of age, so there is evidence of which is safe.
“It is necessary that while the vaccination process lasts, we protect our children much more so that the three doses can be applied and their immune system is more prepared so that if they become ill they do not develop serious symptoms. Whether parents get their children to receive treatment on time also depends on them returning to schools, learning and socialization that they so badly need, but for that, they must be kept safer than ever.
“Nor should we forget that just because we are protected with Abdala or Sovereign we cannot lower the care because no vaccine in the world has one hundred percent immunogenicity, that is only completed by ensuring social distancing measures, the use of face masks and hand washing ”.
In the province, the Ismaelillo study is also being developed, a clinical trial with the Abdala vaccine in pediatric ages, with around 600 volunteers from the city of Camagüey. Of which only the little ones between 3 and 11 years old included in phase 2 remain to receive the third dose.
From next week until the end of September, in a staggered manner corresponding to the 56th day after the first dose, the blood sample will be drawn to measure the immunogenicity of the drug and conclude the investigation.
CLASSROOMS AGAIN AT HOME
From Monday, September 6, teleclasses are being developed for all educational levels, a modality that will be maintained as long as the children complete the vaccination schedules.
About the teaching organization for the restart of the school year, planned gradually from October until the first fortnight November, Adelante.cu spoke with the provincial deputy director of Education, Clay Pérez Jiménez.
He informed the manager that the design of the new course foresees face-to-face, non-face-to-face actions and complementary activities in such a way that there are not large numbers of students in the centers.
The province's general enrollment is forecast at 114,648. To date, 22 pioneering schools and facilities continue as isolation centers; in the event that the teaching activities begin and they continue to provide this service, especially the "Pedagogical" and the Máximo Gómez Báez mixed center, the students will be cared for in their territories by local teachers, from their schools who will move to the localities and with the support of municipal university centers.
Those of special education and the behavior school would be placed in a situation of inclusion in the institutions closest to their homes. In the technical-professional, use will be made of the attached classrooms, and the agreements with the agencies are implemented.
Those treated on an outpatient basis will begin to receive their support teacher after they complete the corresponding scheme.
Regarding 1st. grade of elementary school, the pronunciation work will be done through television capsules: “it is a matter that greatly concerned parents because the teacher had to lower his nose, now technology will serve as an ally in this process.
“We have to recognize the support of the families, the hours of study and the dedication they have put in so that our students overcome the contents. We assure you that measures are taken so that an institutional transmission does not occur: foot steps, hypochlorite, changes of face masks, investigations, activities will not be carried out on the floor, and the hours of snacks and lunch will be staggered ”.
- Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez