Abdala, the vaccine candidate against Covid-19 produced by Cuba, has an efficacy of over 92%: this was announced by BioCubaFarma, the laboratory that developed what could become the first immunizer against the coronavirus created in Latin America.
“@CIGBCuba’s #Abdala vaccine candidate shows 92.28% efficacy in its 3-dose schedule. #CubaEsCiencia,” the lab said in a ‘tweet’ on Twitter.
The announcement follows by just two days that Soberana 2, the other candidate vaccine from Cuba that has completed its three trial phases, has achieved an efficacy of 62% with two doses. “Abdala’s three-dose efficacy will be an event that will multiply pride,” tweeted the president. Miguel Diaz-Canel, just before the news was circulated.
Cuba’s arsenal against Covid: five own vaccines and one with China
by Irma D’Aria
The World Health Organization requires at least 50% efficacy for a candidate immunizer to be accepted as a vaccine. Cuban authorities have announced that in a couple of weeks they hope to ask the health regulator for permission for emergency use.
The island is experiencing a moment of severe crisis linked to the pandemic: Monday was one of the worst in terms of positive cases (1,561 infections, which caused the total to rise to almost 170,000 cases, in addition to 1,170 deaths). Under US embargo since 1962, Cuba began developing its own drugs in the 1980s; of the 13 vaccines. Of his immunization schedule, eight are locally produced.