Abdala, first Latin American anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Photo: Ismael Francisco/ Cubadebate.

The Mexican government announced on Tuesday the purchase of 9 million doses of the Cuban Abdala vaccine to immunize children between 5 and 11 years of age against covid-19.

"We already have a contract with the Government of Cuba and its biotechnology company for the Abdala vaccine, with 9 million doses that, since this is a three-dose scheme, will be enough for 3 million girls and boys," Hugo declared. López-Gatell, Undersecretary for Prevention and Health Promotion.

Last December, Mexico became one of the first countries in the world to authorize the emergency use of Abdala, which still does not have the endorsement of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador signed with the Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, two agreements to strengthen relations in health matters and the confrontation of COVID-19 during his visit to Havana, last May.