Priority groups begin to be vaccinated against flu in Rio de Janeiro

The flu vaccination campaign in the city of Rio de Janeiro begins this Thursday (21). Until May 31, the vaccine will be available in Primary Care units for the elderly, children aged six months to 5 years, health workers, pregnant women, postpartum women (women up to 45 days postpartum) and education workers, among other priority groups . The goal of the Municipal Health Department (SMS) is to immunize 90% of the target population, more than 1.5 million Rio residents.

The flu vaccine is annual: anyone who was vaccinated last year needs to get a new dose this year. In 2024, the formula used in the campaign protects against the three strains of the influenza virus that circulated most last year in the Southern Hemisphere: H1N1 Victoria, H3N2 Thailand and B Austria. For those who have already taken the vaccine, the vaccination schedule is a single dose. For children in the age group covered by the campaign who will receive the vaccine for the first time, there will be two doses, with an interval of 30 days between them.

According to the SMS, immunization against influenza is essential to prevent complications, hospitalizations and deaths resulting from influenza virus infections in the most susceptible groups. Studies estimate that vaccination reduces hospitalizations for pneumonia by 32% to 45%; from 39% to 75% of global mortality; and around 50% are influenza-related illnesses.

“Today we start the influenza vaccination campaign and we recommend that the entire priority group seeks out one of the 238 health units in the city of Rio de Janeiro to get vaccinated. The number of dengue cases in the city has been falling and the number of flu cases is increasing, so it is important to get immunized as soon as possible. The vaccine prevents the most serious forms of the disease, which can be fatal in more vulnerable people”, said the municipal secretary of Health, Daniel Soranz.

The 238 Primary Care units in Rio de Janeiro are open from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, and on Saturdays, from 8am to 12pm. The D-day of mobilization for the vaccine will take place on April 13, when SMS will carry out publicity and awareness actions throughout the city.

To be vaccinated, the user must come to the health unit with an identification document and vaccination booklet, as well as proof of classification as a priority group (medical report, functional document for the professional groups served, among others).