Vaccination: fundamental strategy in the elimination of smallpox in Cuba (1804-1923)

Abstract

The epidemics of smallpox lashed Cuba since 1522, producing high morbidity and mortality which with different ups and downs in its development, had as central figure Tomas Romay. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the results of the vaccination strategy performed in Cuba for the elimination of smallpox in Cuba and how the institutions were transformed in re­lation to the advances and production of the vaccine. The primary sources used have been diverse: epidemiological and statistical sources, documents related to organisms set up for to the spread and production of the vaccine, institutional reports and local scientific journalism. The work reconstructs the role played by the Central Vaccine Board (1804) emerged to plan, execute and expand this strategy in the territory, the Animal Vaccination Institute (1873) and the General Vaccine Center (1883) to produce it. In the twentieth century, it became mandatory by law and together with strict isolation measures taken on cases and spot checks, led to the elimination of the disease in 1923.