The government of the state of São Paulo begins this Monday (27) the vaccination campaign against polio, childhood paralysis.
The campaign runs until June 14th and aims to immunize 95% of children between 1 and 5 years old.
The vaccine is offered in the state's Basic Health Units (UBSs). To carry out the immunization, those responsible must have the child's vaccination card on hand.
Vaccination coverage
The polio vaccination rate had been falling since 2016, the last year in which the country recorded coverage above 90%, according to data from the Ministry of Health. In 2022, the vaccination percentage was 72% in the country.
In São Paulo, the rate closed slightly higher that year, at 77.13%. Last year, there was a recovery in the state, at 85.65%, according to the Ministry of Health's Vaccination Coverage Monitoring Panel.
However, vaccination coverage remains below the level expected by the National Immunization Program (PNI), which is to vaccinate between 90% and 95% of the target audience.
The falling vaccination rate raised an alert for the potential reintroduction of poliovirus in Brazil, eradicated in the country since 1994. The campaign is essential for this risk to be mitigated, according to Ligia Nerger, director of Immunization at the State Department of Health of São Paulo. Paul.
“Polio ends up causing lifelong complications, which we call post-polio syndrome. But thanks to vaccination, we have no contact with people who have been affected. However, the virus is still circulating around the world. Therefore, the vaccination strategy exists. In addition to protecting our children, it contributes to the eradication of polio,” says Nerger.
Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious disease that can cause irreversible muscle paralysis of the lower limbs. In some cases, the infection can lead to death. Vaccination is the main way to prevent the virus.
Source: CNN Brasil
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