{"id":3776,"date":"2021-02-22T22:22:31","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T22:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/?p=3776"},"modified":"2021-02-22T22:22:35","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T22:22:35","slug":"cubas-covid-19-vaccines-serve-the-people-not-profits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cubas-covid-19-vaccines-serve-the-people-not-profits\/","title":{"rendered":"Cuba\u2019s COVID-19 Vaccines Serve the People, Not Profits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cuba\u2019s socialist approach to developing vaccines against COVID-19 differs strikingly from that of capitalist nations of the world. Cuba\u2019s production of four vaccines is grounded in science and dedicated to saving the lives of all Cubans, and to international solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New York Times\u2019s running report<\/a> on the world\u2019s vaccine programs shows 67 vaccines having advanced to human trials; 20 of them are in the final phase of trials or have completed them. The United States, China, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, and India have each produced many vaccines; most vaccine-manufacturing countries are offering one or two vaccines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuba is the only vaccine manufacturer in Latin America; there are none in Africa. The only state-owned entities producing the leading vaccines are those of Cuba and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuba\u2019s Finlay Vaccine Institute has produced two COVID-19 vaccines. Trials for one of them, called Sovereign I, focus on protecting people previously infected with COVID-19. The antibody levels of some of them turned out to be low<\/a>, and the vaccine might provide a boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other vaccine, Sovereign II, is about to enter final human trials. For verifying protection, these trials require tens of thousands of subjects, one half receiving the vaccine and the other half, a placebo vaccine. Cuba\u2019s population is relatively small, 11 million people, too small to yield enough infected people in the short time required to test the vaccine\u2019s protective effect. That\u2019s why Sovereign II will be tested in Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

100 million doses of Sovereign II are being prepared, enough to immunize all 11 million Cubans, beginning in March or April. The 70 million<\/a> remaining doses will go to Vietnam, Iran, Pakistan, India, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Nicaragua. Sovereign II \u201cwill be the vaccine of ALBA<\/a>,\u201d explained Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, referring to the solidarity alliance established in 2004 by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuba\u2019s Fidel Castro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCuba\u2019s strategy<\/a> in commercializing the vaccine represents a combination of what\u2019s good for humankind and the impact on world health. We are not a multinational where a financial objective comes first,\u201d says Vicente V\u00e9rez Bencomo, director of Cuba\u2019s Finlay Vaccine Institute. Income generated by vaccine sales abroad will pay for health care, education, and pensions in Cuba just as happens with exports of medical services and medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuba\u2019s Center for Genetic and Biotechnological Engineering is developing two other COVID-19 vaccines; One, named \u201cMambisa\u201d (signifying a female combatant in wars of liberation from Spain), is administered via the nasal route, just as is Cuba\u2019s hepatitis B vaccine. The other vaccine, named \u201cAbdala\u201d (a character in a Jose Marti poem) is administered intramuscularly. The two vaccines are involved in early trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuba was ready<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuban education emphasizes science and technology. In the 1990s, Cuba accounted for 11% <\/a>of doctorate-level Latin American scientists. Cuban scientists work in the 50 or so biomedical research and production facilities which together make up Cuba\u2019s state-owned BioCubaFarma Corporation, and which produces vaccines, drugs, medical tests, and medical equipment. It makes 60% of<\/a> medicines used in Cuba, and 8 of 12<\/a> vaccines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuba previously produced a pioneering vaccine that prevents life-threatening infection caused by type B meningococcus. Cuba developed a genetically-engineered hepatitis B vaccine and a vaccine offering palliative treatment for lung cancer. A Cuba-developed vaccine offers protection against infection, particularly childhood meningitis, caused by the Hemophilus Influenza type B bacterium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fashioning vaccines, Cuban scientists relied on familiar technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To provide an immunological extra, the antigen of Cuba\u2019s Sovereign II vaccine is mixed with tetanus toxoid, as was done with Cuba\u2019s Hemophilus influenza vaccine. As with other vaccines, scientists used a segment of the virus\u2019s protein \u2013 here the COVID-19 virus \u2013 to form an antigen to stimulate protective antibodies. By contrast, the U. S. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain the whole viral protein, not a segment. That protein contains \u201cgenetic instructions<\/a>\u201d which enter human cells, causing them \u201cto make spike proteins, which then get released into the body\u201d where they trigger antibodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observers suggest that this innovative U.S. technology may be less safe<\/a> than the one used in Cuban vaccines. Not requiring<\/a> extremely cold storage, as do the U.S. vaccines, the Cuban vaccines are suited for areas without adequate refrigeration capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuba\u2019s bio-medical production sector has also created drugs for treating Covid-19 infection. Interferon<\/em>, an antiviral agent developed in Cuba, produced in China, and used throughout the world, prevents many Covid \u2013 infected patients from becoming critically il<\/a>l. The Cuban anti-inflammatory drug Jusvinza<\/em>, used for treating auto-immune diseases, and Cuba\u2019s monoclonal antibody Itolizumab<\/em>, which moderates exaggerated immune responses, are both effective in reducing Covid-19 deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other way<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U. S. approach to producing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines is based on private enterprise, although the U. S. government did deliver billions of dollars to pharmaceutical companies to produce vaccines free of charge to recipients. The companies have contracted with purchasers abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to forbes.com<\/a> in November, 2020, \u2018If Moderna\u2019s [vaccine] can get FDA approval and can make enough doses, its top line could be nearly $35 billion higher \u2026 than \u2026 in the last 12 months.\u201d Another report suggests<\/a> that, \u201cThe companies (Pfizer and Moderna) stand to earn billions of dollars in profits from their COVID vaccines this year [and] there will be more profits in later years.\u201d The companies \u201cclaim the rights to vast amounts of intellectual property.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With corporations in charge, distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is skewed. As of Jan. 27, \u201csome 66.83 million doses<\/a> have been sent out, of which 93 percent were supplied to only 15 countries.\u201d In Latin America, only Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Chile have secured purchase contracts adequate for immunizing entire populations. The companies\u2019 contracts with African nations<\/a> allow for immunization of only 30 percent of Africans in 2021. Meaningful immunization has yet to begin there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wealth divide determines distribution. Epidemiologists at Duke University report that, \u201cWhile high-income<\/a> countries represent only 16% of the world\u2019s population, they currently hold 60% of the vaccines for COVID-19 that have been purchased so far.\u201d Cuban journalist Randy Alonso reports that only \u201c27 percent<\/a> of the total population of low and middle income countries can be vaccinated this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/strong>The world is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure \u2013 and the price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the world\u2019s poorest countries,\u201d declared Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director of the World Health Organization, on January 18.<\/a> He warned that, \u201csome countries and companies continue to prioritize bilateral deals, going around COVAX, driving up prices and attempting to jump to the front of the queue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WHO initiated the global vaccine collaboration COVAX to assure access by poor nations to COVID-19 vaccines. The 190 nations that are enrolled agreed to obtain vaccines through COVAX. Rich nations would supply COVAX with funds to enable 90 poor nations to receive no-charge vaccines. COVAX anticipates distributing two billion doses, enough to immunize only 25 % of the populations of poor nations during 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problems include: wealthy nations order vaccines independent of COVAX; they buy more vaccine than they need; manufacturers set prices; and prices are secret, variable, and very high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most other countries producing COVID-19 vaccines are at variance with Cuba through their profiteering and because they are complicit with the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba. Pursuing routine overseas commercial affairs, they all too easily adjust to U.S. regulations by means of which that cruel policy is enforced. More to the point, the U.S. blockade hinders Cuba\u2019s vaccine efforts, and they are silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have in Cuba all the raw materials and supplies we\u2019ll need for the unprecedented scale of production that vaccinating our whole population requires,\u201d Dagmar Garc\u00eda-Rivera, Director of Research at Cuba\u2019s Finlay Vaccine Institute, explained<\/a>. \u201cThey have to be purchased and for this, we need financing. This is made infinitely more difficult by the US embargo \u2026 Procuring the necessary reagents for research and the raw materials for production is a challenge we face daily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In confronting the pandemic, Cuba exhibits attention to detail suggestive of a level of caring and concern not readily matched elsewhere. For example, Cuba\u2019s government-friendly cubadebate.cu website provides a daily, detailed update of the infection\u2019s impact. Its report on Jan. 27<\/a> presents data relating to cities, provinces, the nation, and the world \u2013 and the nation\u2019s intensive care units. Readers learn that of 43 patients in intensive care that day, 16 were in critical condition, stable or unstable, and 27 were in \u201cgrave\u201d condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All 43 cases are reviewed, beginning with: \u201cCuban citizen, 75 years old, from Alqu\u00edzar, in Artemisa, already suffering from arterial hypertension and ischemic cardiopathy who is afebrile, on mechanical ventilation, is hemodynamically stable\u2026 with acceptable blood gases (oxygen and CO2), is improving radiologically with inflammatory lesions in the right [lung] base \u2013 reported as critical but stable.\u201d The cases of four Cubans who died that day are also presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fighting a pandemic in Cuba, it\u2019s understood, is no casual matter. Nor is the health of Cuba\u2019s people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

W.T. Whitney Jr.<\/strong>\u00a0is a retired pediatrician and political journalist living in Maine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

source: Counter Punch<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cuba\u2019s socialist approach to developing vaccines against COVID-19 differs strikingly from that of capitalist nations of the world. Cuba\u2019s production of four vaccines is grounded […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101011,"featured_media":3778,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5550,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-ships-15-million-abdala-vaccines-to-venezuela\/","url_meta":{"origin":3776,"position":0},"title":"Cuba Ships 1,5 Million Abdala Vaccines To Venezuela","author":"Editorial Team","date":"November 24, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"\"We want to cooperate with the coronavirus immunisation of this brother country's people, who suffer the consequences of the U.S. blockade,\" Cuban scientists stated.\u00a0 On Saturday, Cuba's Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) announced the delivery of 1,5 million Abdala COVID-19 vaccines to Venezuela. \"We want to cooperate with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cuba"","block_context":{"text":"Cuba","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/cuba\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/vene_abdala.jpg_1718483346.jpg?fit=600%2C340&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/vene_abdala.jpg_1718483346.jpg?fit=600%2C340&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/vene_abdala.jpg_1718483346.jpg?fit=600%2C340&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4038,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-smallest-country-developing-its-own-vaccine\/","url_meta":{"origin":3776,"position":1},"title":"Ed Avgvstin Reports for France24 on Cuba\u2019s vaccines.","author":"Editorial Team","date":"April 3, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Despite a worsening economy and increased US sanctions, Cuba has developed five Covid\u200b-19 vaccines candidates, two of which are in their final phase three trials. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_IiQue5knKM","rel":"","context":"In "Cuba"","block_context":{"text":"Cuba","link":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/category\/cuba\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2021-04-03-at-12.01.39.png?fit=745%2C414&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2021-04-03-at-12.01.39.png?fit=745%2C414&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2021-04-03-at-12.01.39.png?fit=745%2C414&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2021-04-03-at-12.01.39.png?fit=745%2C414&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3183,"url":"https:\/\/www.cubasupport.ie\/latest\/cuba-leads-race-for-latin-american-coronavirus-vaccine\/","url_meta":{"origin":3776,"position":2},"title":"Cuba leads race for Latin American coronavirus vaccine","author":"Editorial Team","date":"November 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As Latin American nations test experimental coronavirus vaccines from across the globe and economic heavyweights such as Brazil and Mexico jockey for supply deals with major drugmakers, Communist-run Cuba already has two of its own vaccines in clinical trials. 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