Infectologist Marcelo Otsuka believes that the National Response Plan for the Detection and Outbreak of Poliomyelitis in Brazil, announced by the Ministry of Health, is “essential.”
In an interview with CNN Radio he stated that the action “should have been done before”, since “we have a very important drop in vaccine coverage.”
According to Otsuka, cases of polio in other parts of the world, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, have already been reported.
“It is essential that we take this care again to prevent the entry of polio in Brazil”, he added.
The infectious disease specialist stressed that “the only way to avoid cases is for us to maintain adequate vaccination coverage, which has not happened.”
According to the expert, the low numbers of immunization are explained by some factors.
“In recent years, we have not had an incentive for vaccination, or even charging for the vaccination card in schools, which is mandatory, but has not been done”, he said.
In addition, there is “the action of fake news and the situation that, as we have not seen polio or other serious diseases, people have a sense of protection.”
To reverse this situation, Otsuka defends that the active search is the best way.
“The moment is to go after the children, adolescents, elderly and immunosuppressed who need to be vaccinated”, he said.
Marcelo Otsuka highlighted that the vaccine is a collective protection initiative, not an individual one.
*With production by Isabel Campos
Source: CNN Brasil
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