While the Ministry of Health is already recommending the fourth dose of the immunizer against Covid-19 for the elderly over 80, not half of the population eligible for vaccination has received the third dose, according to the folder. In addition, data from the federal government’s Localiza SUS platform indicates that demand for reinforcement has fallen.
In the month of January, there was a peak, with more than 17 million people receiving the third dose. According to information from Localiza SUS, in February, the number dropped to just over 12.5 million citizens and, so far, March registers close to 4.5 million.
A member of the board of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm), the doctor Renato Kfouri points out that the vaccination schedule is only considered complete with the three doses applied. “We work with the two plus one scheme. Anyone who is vaccinated with just both is not fully immunized,” he says.
“We still need to worry about the vaccination numbers. We have enough vaccines and we are doing well in relation to other countries, but we still have to have more information available, active search and campaigns”, defends the specialist.
The challenge of moving forward with the third dose is seen across the country. Palmas, capital of Tocantins, for example, has only 26.52% of the population with the reinforcement. In Porto Velho, the capital of Rondônia, coverage is 28.5%, a rate that rises to 37.62% in the Federal District.
With low demand, some capitals have taken actions to increase coverage. The Health Department of Recife, capital of Pernambuco, where the rate is 49.09% with a third dose, reported that it promotes itinerant vaccination in communities, in addition to encouraging actions such as the Vaccine Car, a vehicle that travels with messages about the importance of the vaccine.
In Rio de Janeiro, with 48.8% of the total population with the booster, the city government announced that efforts are focused on the active search for cariocas who can already receive the third dose.
In São Paulo (SP), the campaigns are carried out through the Basic Health Units, which also carry out an active search, in addition to an extended opening hours from Monday to Sunday, including holidays, and drive-thrus immunization. , partner pharmacies and parks.
In the city of Belo Horizonte (MG), to ensure that people complete the vaccination schedule, the City Hall has made publicity during radio programs. In addition, health teams, during home visits, check the vaccination status and reinforce the importance of immunization.
Curitiba (PR) invests in media campaigns, sending invitation and reminder messages via application.
Recommendation for the 4th dose
This Wednesday (23), the Ministry of Health issued a technical note recommending the second booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for the population aged 80 and over. According to the folder, states and municipalities can start this stage of the campaign. It is estimated that 4.6 million Brazilians are immunized.
“The recommendation was widely discussed by experts from the Technical Advisory Board on Immunizations (CTAI), who considered the epidemiological situation in Brazil and the reduction in the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines, especially among the most advanced age groups. According to studies, the decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines in the elderly, from 3 to 4 months after application, can also be explained by the natural aging of the immune system, which requires a differentiated strategy to protect this group”, says one part of the note.
Infectologist and professor of medicine at PUC-Rio Bruno Scarpellini highlights that vaccines help protect risk groups, but that it is still too early for the elderly and immunosuppressed to stop using non-pharmacological measures.
“What we saw with vaccine doses is that they modify the natural history of the disease, decrease the severity of Covid-19 and the number of hospitalizations. But in some subgroups, there is a drop in immunity. Therefore, in addition to the fourth dose, sanitary measures, such as the use of mask and gel alcohol, are still necessary to be maintained “, guides the infectologist.
*under supervision of Pauline Almeida
Source: CNN Brasil
