Find out which vaccines are recommended for those affected by the floods in RS

Thousands of extra doses of immunizers were sent to Rio Grande do Sul for the Ministry of Health on Monday (13). The state is facing historic floods after storms affected most municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul.

This Tuesday (14), the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm) released a technical note with guidelines for vaccinating rain victims as well as rescue teams and health professionals.

In conversation with the CNN infectologists pointed out which vaccines are most suitable for victims of the climate tragedy , as well as professionals and volunteers who work on the front lines of the catastrophe. During this period, there is a greater attention to respiratory diseases that can occur with colder weather as well as attention to children, pregnant women and the elderly.

“Floods predispose a lot of diseases such as scabies, lice, leptospirosis, hepatitis, tetanus, diseases caused by spider bites. Furthermore, crowds in the accommodation of people who are homeless can generate the transmission of respiratory conditions, such as flu, pneumonia and Covid-19”, explained doctor Renato Kfouri, from the Brazilian Society of Immunizations.

The recommended immunization agents for the entire local population, according to the published technical note, are: covid-19, influenza, triple viral (measles, mumps and rubella), hepatitis (A and B), tetanus and rabies — the last only in cases of “accidents” with animals, such as bites or scratches.

“It is important to think mainly that these people are crowded in places without ventilation and the risk is much greater of transmitting respiratory diseases. In relation to tetanus, there is a great risk of having an injury when trying to survive and, as a result, ending up in contact with the bacteria that causes the disease”, said Rosana Richtmann, infectious disease specialist and vaccine consultant at Dasa.

“In relation to hepatitis A, it is a virus that enters through the mouth and exits through the feces. The moment you drink contaminated water, or are in contaminated mud, you run the risk of swallowing it or coming into contact with it and contracting the disease. The same thing with typhoid fever, which is caused by a bacteria called salmonella”, added the professional.

Vaccines recommended for rescue teams, healthcare professionals and first responders are: influenza, covid-19, tetanus, hepatitis (A and B), typhoid fever and rabies.

“Rescue professionals or healthcare professionals on the front line are also directly involved with potentially contaminated materials. They are at greater risk of accidents and lacerations. When rescuing animals, they can end up being injured or attacked, they are even more exposed”, highlighted Rosana.

Renato Kfouri also pointed out that the available vaccines are recommended for the entire population throughout the year. “Regardless of being in a situation like this, it is important to remember to be up to date with vaccinations for these diseases.”

Immunizations in children

Rosana highlights the attention to vaccines against MMR and hepatitis A. “They also need, in particular, the flu vaccine, there are a lot of cases of influenza happening and it is starting to get colder there, in the region, so it favors transmission even more ”, said the professional.

Immunizations in pregnant women

In cases of pregnant women, Rosana also highlighted that no immunization agent can be used. Flu and hepatitis vaccines are indicated at any stage of pregnancy. Applications against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough are recommended for pregnant women over 20 weeks. The only immunization agents that are contraindicated in these cases would be live attenuated viruses, for example, MMR and yellow fever.

Immunizations in the elderly

“In the elderly, there should be a priority for respiratory viruses. They are individuals who are already weak, in this situation they will become even more so. They also lost everything, including their medicine boxes. It is essential to vaccinate against the flu, covid-19, and hepatitis A”, concluded Rosana.

Access to medicines

It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Health also decided to facilitate the withdrawal of medicines through the Farmácia Popular program for the population of Rio Grande do Sul, eliminating the need to present official documents with photo, CPF and prescription or medical prescription to access medicines for the treatment of asthma, hypertension and diabetes in the region.