History of the Fight Against Smallpox in Santa María del Rosario

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Local history related to the fight against epidemics is one of the research gaps in Cuba. Such is the case of the fight against smallpox in Santa María del Rosario during the colonial period, where Tomás Romay y Chacón and José Govín stood out. They carried out intensive health promotion and prevention work and immunized the population by administering the smallpox vaccine.

Objective: To describe the work done to combat the smallpox epidemic in Santa María del Rosario during the colonial period.

Methods: Under the dialectical-materialist approach, the analytical-synthetic and historical-logical methods were used. In addition, a review of scientific articles on the internet was conducted using complex search strategies in Google Scholar, SciELO, and PubMed.

Development: The town of Santa María del Rosario, now the municipality of Cotorro, was a site for the application of smallpox vaccinations in Cuba. Tomás Romay's personal ties to the Condal Bayona y Chacón family made it possible. The vaccination program reached nearby towns such as El Calvario, San Francisco de Paula, and Managua.

Conclusions: In the fight against smallpox in Santa María del Rosario during the colonial period, Tomás Romay y Chacón and José Govín stood out, establishing guidelines for combating this disease through health promotion and prevention measures, as well as the smallpox vaccination campaign.