In an interview with CNN the vice president of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm), Isabella Ballalai commented on the increase in cases of Covid-19 in Brazil in recent weeks and the circulation of respiratory viruses in the autumn and winter months.
According to the specialist, the neglect of preventive measures against Covid-19 and the flu, such as vaccination and the use of masks, can lead to an overload of the health system. “Our vaccination coverage during this flu vaccination campaign is shameful. It is clear that the population is no longer worried about any of this. Not with influenza, not with Covid-19. And the two together, it does mean an increase and a public health burden,” she said.
The numbers of flu vaccinations in some capitals in the country worry doctors. In Rio de Janeiro, for example, the flu vaccination campaign had the adhesion of only 37% in the priority groups.
Cities in Brazil are registering an increase in cases of Covid-19. In São Paulo, the positivity of tests carried out increased by 163% during the month of May, according to the Todos pela Saúde institute.
According to Ballalai, the previous moment was favorable for the relaxation of prevention measures, but there is a new epidemiological scenario. “The scenario (of easing) was very favorable, but we knew that another wave could come, and it is presenting itself”, she explained.
According to the doctor, the appropriate way to relax measures such as the use of a mask would be to alert to the possibility that a retreat would be possible, if the pandemic intensified again.
“We have to take the information that we can go back if there is a new epidemiological scenario. And today, it is very difficult to convince people that we really need to put on the mask.”
“The pandemic is not over, and today we have a variant of a variant (Ômicron). Now with ABA4 and ABA5, they are still quite new and promise a new outbreak,” he declared.
Source: CNN Brasil
