The city of São Paulo will start immunization against Covid-19 in children aged 3 and 4 years old this Wednesday (20). According to the Municipal Health Department, priority will be given to children with comorbidities (except immunosuppressed), with permanent disabilities (physical, sensory or intellectual), in addition to indigenous people.
The vaccine used in this age group will be Coronavac. According to the secretariat, the estimated public is around 15,000 children in the capital of São Paulo.
On July 13, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) unanimously authorized the use of the immunizer for this public — it is the only immunizer approved for children under 5 years of age in the country.
THE CNN professor at the Bahia School of Medicine and Public Health (EBMSP) Robson Reis highlighted the importance of vaccination in this group.
“Children’s vaccination is extremely necessary, and I can cite several reasons: one of them is that the immunization of this age group ends up contributing to what we call herd immunization – which helps to strengthen the fight against the coronavirus”, he said.
This term refers to an immunization obtained when the highest proportion of individuals in a community are protected, either because they have had the disease or because they have been vaccinated — thus, the virus has difficulty finding a host.
What to bring to vaccinate children
In order for the child to receive the vaccine in São Paulo, those responsible must present an identification document (preferably with CPF) of the minor.
With regard to proof of comorbidity, it is necessary to present proof of risk condition, such as prescriptions or physical or digital reports, as long as there is patient identification, CRM with the doctor’s stamp and validity of two years of issuance.
Reis believes that current research, called “real life studies”, which evaluate the application of the vaccine in this age group in other countries, such as Chile, have demonstrated its effectiveness and safety – in terms of side effects.
The infectious disease specialist pointed out that every vaccine, drug, or immunobiological can cause some effect on the body — the one we want, or adverse events.
“The adverse reactions [da Coronavac] are light. Severe ones are extremely rare within this population. Children’s vaccination [neste momento] It is essential for us to move towards the end of the Covid-19 pandemic”, says the professor.
remaining doses
Vaccination of children aged 3 and 4 years without comorbidities or disabilities should take place in the next few days in São Paulo. Meanwhile, those responsible can register at Basic Health Units (UBSs) or schools to receive remaining doses (the so-called xepa vaccine).
For this, the adult must present the documentation with address and telephone number for the summons.
The eligible public in the capital, without considering only those with comorbidity or permanent disability, is 55,000 with 3 years old, and 158,000 with 4 years old.
At least 11 capitals started vaccinating children three years and older against Covid-19: Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, Boa Vista, Manaus, Belém, Salvador, São Luís, Florianópolis, Natal, Campo Grande and Vitória.
*With information from CNN’s Lucas Rocha
Source: CNN Brasil
