Global applications of genomics in healthcare: Cuba

Development of meningitis B vaccine

Setting: Finlay institute

Focus of intervention: patients and families/ community

Background:

Cuba, though a developing country, has a very vast and modern scientific industry. The Finlay Institute, established in the early 90's, is a leader in Cuban health technology, producing various vaccines such as the tetanus vaccine vax-TET and a combination vaccine against tetanus and diphtheria. The country spends approximately 1.2% of its GDP in the science and technology industry.

Intervention:

The Finlay Institute produced an anti-meningococcus vaccine to combat the type B strain of meningitis. This vaccine, given the name VA-MENGOC-BC, has been sold to various countries around the world, some of them including Brazil, Syria, and the Dominican Republic. The vaccine is administered when babies are 3.5 months of age, and the second dose is administered at 5.5 months of age.

Results:

The VA-MENGOC-BC vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in the prevention of outbreaks of meningitis in twelve countries. Brazil has aggressively administered the anti-meningococcal vaccine in twelve of its states through fifteen campaigns. According to BBC News, since the vaccination program in Cuba, no children have died from meningitis B.

Sources:

- The Finlay Institute, Cuba
- Genomics and World Health: Summary. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2002. Page 14.
- "Meningitis: Prevention." BBC News.
- "Vaccine May Open Window in US Blockade" by Patricia Grogg. IGC News Desk.
- "Cuba Still Leading the Way in Health Technologies" by Patricia Grogg Tierramerica.