(CMR) Cuba became the first country in the world to vaccinate children from the age of two against COVID-19, using its own locally developed Sovereign 02 vaccine. The country started giving the shots to toddlers on Monday.
The country aims to vaccinate all its children before reopening schools that have been closed for the most part since last March.
The new school year started on Monday from home via television programs, as most Cuban homes do not have internet access.
Cuba kicked off its inoculation campaign for children on Friday, starting with those 12 and older.
Several other countries in the world are vaccinating children from the age of 12, and some are conducting trials in younger kids. China, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela have announced they plan to vaccinate younger children, but Cuba is the first to do so.
Chile on Monday approved the Chinese Sinovac vaccines for children between six and 12.
The Cuban vaccines are the first to be developed in Latin America but have not undergone international scientific peer review. They have not yet received WHO approval.
The government has announced schools will reopen gradually, in October and November, but only after all children have been vaccinated.
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