The capital of São Paulo may anticipate the flu vaccination for the beginning of next year, as he told the CNN, this Saturday (18), the Executive Secretary of Health for the city of São Paulo, Sandra Sabino. Normally, immunization against Influenza takes place from April, however, an outbreak of cases has been worrying health authorities. According to the secretary, currently the cases of flu surpass “a lot” the cases of Covid-19 in the capital.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to bring the Influenza vaccination up to the beginning of the year; we made this request through the municipal health department, so that, as soon as the year turns, we can start protecting Inlfuenza, especially for the most vulnerable people”, said the secretary.
Sandra Sabino said that the capital of São Paulo is going through an “atypical” situation, since this is not the usual period of circulation of the flu syndrome virus. “We have had a lot of increase in our units, about 50% more than expected, all with flu syndrome”.
In São Paulo, according to the secretary, currently the cases of Influenza “far outweigh the cases of Covid”, and only 1% of the tests carried out are positive for Covid. The other results are classified as flu syndromes.
“However, the cases presented in the capital are mild flu syndrome, which are not resulting in hospitalization. We suggest that you look for the UBS, get tested and get rid of the worry, so that you don’t expose yourself in the urgency and emergency units”, said Sabino.
Ômicron community broadcast
The city of São Paulo identified three new cases of coronavirus infection by Ômicron on Friday (17), and now considers that there is community transmission of the variant in the capital. In all, there are already 13 positive diagnoses for the strain in the city.
“Yesterday we proved that there is indeed community transmission here in São Paulo, we identified three new cases in our analysis from the Butantan Institute, in three different regions of the capital, and had no relationship with travelers. So, we do have community broadcasting in the capital. It is always worth reinforcing the non-pharmacological control measures, people should use a mask, avoid agglomeration, use alcohol gel on their hands; all Covid’s recommendations are for influenza,” he said.
According to the secretary, the records of Ômicron in the capital are mild cases, of people already vaccinated. “We believe that vaccination is in fact a great protector, even for the new variant.”
Reference: CNN Brasil
