Cuba adds Sinopharm to its vaccination programme

Now, Cuba is applying the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine alongside its homegrown shots.

Authorities in central Cienfuegos province announced the rollout of the Chinese-developed jabs from Sunday, along with the use of Cuba's own Soberana Plus booster. Authorities did not explain how Cuba obtained the Chinese vaccines, nor did they specify whether they were purchased by the island's government or if they were donated. It remains unclear why Cuba is now applying the Sinophram shots to some of its population.

The Soberana 02 and the Soberana Plus vaccines were developed by the Finaly Institute and they are produced on the island. A third, Abdala, was created by Cuba's Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Cuba is the only country in Latin America that manufactures its own vaccines.