The Ministry of Health will end the national flu and measles vaccination campaign next Friday, June 24. The action was scheduled to end at the beginning of the month, on the 3rd, but was extended.
The campaign, which began on April 4, has already immunized 44% of people against the flu.
According to the folder, 77 million Brazilians are part of the priority group to receive the vaccine against influenza. The note says that the government has already distributed almost 80 million doses to the entire country.
That was the subject of the Medical Correspondent board this week. According to Fernando Gomes, a neurosurgeon, it is necessary to increase the vaccination rate.
“We need to pay attention [nos baixos números] because in the case of measles, the transmission rate is quite high and the complications can be very serious”, he said.
The government hoped to vaccinate about 12.9 million children against measles. However, just over 4 million received the immunizer – a vaccination coverage of 39.55%, according to the Dice of LocalizaSUS.
The Ministry of Health reported that as of June 25, states and municipalities will be able to expand the campaign against influenza for the entire population from 6 months onwards, while stocks of the Influenza vaccine last. Measles immunization is part of the National Vaccination Calendar and immunizations are available throughout the year.
In the statement, the folder reinforces the importance of vaccination to prevent serious cases of the disease, especially during the coldest months of the year.
Priority group for influenza vaccine
- Elderly people over 60 years old;
- Health workers;
- Children from 6 months to under 5 years old (4 years, 11 months and 29 days);
- Pregnant women and puerperal women;
- Indian people;
- teachers;
- People with comorbidities;
- Persons with permanent disabilities;
- Security and Rescue Forces and Armed Forces;
- Truck drivers and workers in urban and long-distance collective road transport for passengers;
- Port workers;
- Prison system officials;
- Adolescents and young people from 12 to 21 years of age under socio-educational measures;
- People deprived of liberty.
Measles campaign target audience
- Health workers;
- Children from 6 months to under 5 years old (4 years, 11 months and 29 days).
*With information from Henrique Andrad and Lucas Rocha, from CNN
Source: CNN Brasil
