Cuba, the communist island with 11.2 million residents, is the first country to inoculate children from age two to eighteen against COVID-19, before reopening its classes since its closure in March 2020.

Reports claimed on Monday, September 6, following the opening of its classes that authorities have started distributing jabs in the 2-11 age group in the central province of Cienfuegos.

Using their homegrown jabs, the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment, and Medical Devices issued the approval for the emergency use for Soberana 02 among the Cuban population.

Authorities had completed clinical trials on minors with Abdala and Soberana 02 vaccines which were unrecognized and still waiting for the World Health Organization’s approval.

The composition of Cuban vaccines, which are not recognized by the WHO, is merely based on a recombinant protein, said to be the same technique used by the US company Novavax.

Several countries in the world have already vaccinated children aged 12, and some are conducting clinical trials in younger kids. However, Cuba is the first to inoculate the toddlers.
Unlike many other countries including China, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela have announced to inoculate toddlers but have yet to implement the jabs.

As of writing, schools in Cuba have started classes using TV programs at home, as most Cuban homes do not have internet access.

Moreover, the Cuban government will only open its face-to-face classes once the vaccination campaign among children is completed.