CommentaryCommentary
Since the first reported cases of COVID-19, the world has been
grappling with this disease and its consequences. Confirmed cases
are increasing, the numbers of daily deaths are chilling, countries
suffer the paralysis of social life and the national economy.
Meanwhile, the scientific community has been racing against time
to find effective vaccines in response to the pandemic. Vaccines have
the function of preparing the immune system to detect and fight
specific viruses and bacteria, achieving that if the body is exposed
to pathogenic germs, it will be ready to destroy them immediately
and thus prevent disease. It is sought with the vaccine, protection
against the most severe forms of the disease and mortality. In June
2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported the existence
of 185 vaccine candidates in the preclinical development stage and
another 102 in the clinical trial phase [1]. Currently, the WHO has
authorized the use of six vaccines, others are still being studied
for subsequent approval. National Regulatory Agencies have
authorized COVID-19 vaccines in specific countries [2].
The first mass vaccination program started in early December
2020. The great spread of the novel coronavirus increases the
demand for vaccines, but their limited production will lead to the
use of all formulations that prove to be suitable. The effectiveness of
a vaccine is measured by the percentage reduction in the frequency
of infections among vaccinated people compared to the frequency
among those who were not vaccinated, assuming that the vaccine
is the cause of this reduction. Effectiveness represents the health
benefits provided by a vaccination program in the population when
the vaccines are administered in the real or usual conditions of daily
care practice or program development [3]. Although all currently
approved vaccine platforms have been shown to stimulate both
the humoral and cellular responses, there is a great unresolved
question: How long does the immunity conferred by vaccines last?
Nevertheless, the vaccination option is a healthy choice for the
general population.
Vaccination has been intensifying in risk groups such as those
over 60 years of age, patients with comorbidities such as heart
disease, diabetes, among others. Pregnant women have been
prioritized to achieve an ideal immunization, as this group is one of
the most disadvantaged before the disease, due to the physiological
changes of pregnancy and the decrease in the immune system of the
pregnant woman. According to data provided by the Pan American
Health Organization (PAHO), more than 270,000 pregnant women
have fallen ill with COVID-19 in the Americas and more than 2,600
have died from that cause since the start of the pandemic, it is
also important to take into account breastfeeding women [4]. The
pediatric population is another of the risk populations towards
which vaccine interventions are currently directed. Being especially vulnerable to COVID-19, health personnel have been among the
first to receive any of the existing vaccines. This occupational group
is at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
Until today, vaccination is the best strategy to control the spread
of the virus, but it should not be forgotten that changes in personal
behavior and attitude will be increasingly necessary. The biosafety
and self-care measures that the population must maintain must be
a priority to be able to return to a social normality that is so longed
for. Getting the largest number of people vaccinated as quickly and
globally as possible, along with non-pharmacological interventions,
could ensure that the virus can be suppressed rather than spread
[5]. The news reflects new outbreaks and the increase in cases in
many countries, even as vaccination campaigns are progressing.
The population is concerned about the increase in cases, which
occurs at the same time as the introduction of vaccines. This largely
depends on the type of variant that circulates in the region, the Delta
is much more virulent and therefore the contagion increases in its
presence, despite the fact that there is a certain level of population
vaccination.
Vaccination leads to collective protection, although there will be
patients in the group, they will not be able to transmit the disease,
either due to the immunization conferred by the vaccine or because
they were convalescent, this is the so-called herd immunity. The
aim of the vaccine is to reduce deaths, serious and critical cases,
intensive care units, hospitalizations and then the incidence rate
[6]. Cuba began the intensive vaccination program on May 12,
2021, and as of September of the same year, more than 14 million
doses of nationally produced vaccines had been applied. In a
staggered manner, the strategy for the development, introduction
and extension of Cuban vaccines has been applied, which ranges
from clinical trials, studies in risk groups, health intervention to
mass vaccination, a stage in which the country is immersed. Cuba
already has three quality, safe and effective immunogens. Abdala
approved in July 2021 and Soberana 02 together with Soberana
Plus authorized in August of the same year [7].
One of the worst health situations in the history of mankind
is being experienced. The loss of human life is quantified in the
thousands, in addition to the situations of social deprivation and
health that are worsening in the world population. Faced with this
situation, it is necessary to consider the research progress, the
production of science based on evidence, to respond in the best
way to this pandemic caused by COVID-19. Vaccination, without a
doubt, is an alternative that raises the hope of success in the face of
this disease.
References
- Armas Pedraza L (2021) Cuban vaccine candidates: some results and news. Cubahora.
- (2021) Pan American Health Organization. Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 Vaccines. OPS.
- Santucci N, Villar SR (2021) Immunological assessment of COVID-19 vaccines. IntraMed.
- Loewy MA (2021) Pan American Health Organization urges to vaccinate all pregnant women against COVID-19 from the first trimester. Medscape.
- Rella SA, Kulikova YA, Dermitzakis ET, Kondrashov F (2021) Rates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and vaccination impact the fate of vaccine-resistant strains. SciRep 11(1): 15729.
- (2021) Cubadebate. Impact of the vaccination process in Cuba and its effectiveness. Cubadebate.
- (2020) Redacción MINSAP. Ministry of Health: ¨The emergency use authorization granted by CECMED, to the Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus vaccines, is pride and commitment for everyone.
