THE flu vaccination remains available to the entire population after six months. More than a month after the date set for the end of the vaccination campaign aimed at priority groups, the country has not reached the 90% target set by the federal government.
Among the 54.7 million people who make up the priority groups of children, health professionals, pregnant women, postpartum women, indigenous people, the elderly and teachers, 33.5 million were immunized, a coverage of 61.3%.
The campaign’s entire target audience also includes people with comorbidities, inmates, prison staff, adolescents in socio-educational measures, people with disabilities, truck drivers, security forces, transport workers and members of the Armed Forces, totaling 77.9 million, also groups that did not reach 90% coverage.
According to the Ministry of Health, since the launch of the campaign in 1999, it has maintained a good performance in immunization, especially among the elderly. However, in 2021, in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, no group presented an index above the target, with coverage of 72.8%. Last year, the best result was observed among puerperal women, with 85.1%, while health workers reached only 68.4%.
This year, the flu vaccination campaign started on April 4th and would last until June 3rd, but was extended until June 24th. Since June 25, states and municipalities have been released by the federal government to apply the immunizer to all people from six months of age. According to data from the LocalizaSus portal, 50.6 million doses have been applied so far.
On Monday (1st), the Ministry of Health reinforced the importance of vaccination against influenza. According to the ministry, the objective of the mobilization is to prevent complications resulting from the disease and the pressure on the health system.
“The vaccine is safe and is considered one of the most effective measures to prevent serious cases and deaths from the flu. The ever-changing influenza viruses require global monitoring and frequent influenza vaccine reformulation. Due to this change in viruses, annual flu vaccination is necessary”, says the ministry.
According to the folder, the vaccine offered in the Unified Health System (SUS) protects against the three subtypes of the flu virus that circulated the most in the last year in the southern hemisphere. In 2021, the H3N2 Darwin lineage caused outbreaks in the country, with an epidemic in Rio de Janeiro. This year, the strain was included in the applied dose.
Expansion of vaccine coverage
The president of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm), Juarez Cunha, assesses that the coverage below expectations is worrying, especially among priority groups, considered more vulnerable to the disease.
“The campaign had to be extended and even then we couldn’t reach the goal. It had an aspect that made it a little difficult, both in 2020 and in 2021. The flu numbers decreased a lot because we were taking non-pharmacological measures (use of mask and social isolation, for example). This reduced all respiratory diseases transmitted by viruses and bacteria. Unfortunately, when there are no reports of cases, hospitalizations and deaths, people stop looking for the vaccine,” he said.
The president of SBIm also claims to believe that suboptimal coverage is motivated by misinformation. “Fake news has permeated this period of the pandemic a lot. This has affected the vaccination coverage of all vaccines, both childhood and adult,” he said.
To get vaccinated, just go to a health post with a photo document and, if possible, the vaccination booklet.
Influenza is an acute viral infection, which affects the respiratory system and has high transmissibility, with symptoms similar to those of Covid-19. Both vaccines – against influenza and the coronavirus – can be taken on the same day or at any interval.
Basic care helps prevent respiratory diseases
Source: CNN Brasil
