Cuba has approved three vaccines for emergency use — the Abdala vaccine, Soberana 2 and single-dose Soberana Plus, and the country has another two jabs in development. All are protein subunit vaccines, and Soberana Plus can work as a booster shot. Soberana Plus, according to the New York Times, is also tailored for those who have had COVID-19 before, in what was described as a world first. Cuba, which is renowned for its healthcare system and has a long history of developing vaccines, has injected some national pride in its vaccine names. Abdala is named after a poem by young revolutionary and independence hero Jose Marti, while Soberana 2 means "sovereign". Earlier this month, Cuban authorities began inoculating toddlers as young as two years old with Soberana 2. It has also been approved for use in Iran, while Abdala has now been approved in Vietnam.
Erin Handley, ‘Vaccines that grow on leaves and don't need needles: A look at COVID jabs you may not have heard of’, ABC
