Why immunize every year? Check out 10 questions and answers about the flu vaccine

The flu vaccination campaign takes place throughout Brazil for priority groups defined by the Ministry of Health. The immunizer is made available free of charge by the Unified Health System (SUS) for the population at risk of worsening the disease. The folder’s goal is to vaccinate at least 90% of the target audience – check here who can get vaccinated .

A Influenza vaccine is not capable of causing the flu. , contrary to the rumors that circulate on social networks every year. The doses are composed of inactivated viruses, therefore, they cannot induce the development of the disease. Among the possible effects of the vaccine are a feeling of pain in the body or a possible low fever, which tend to disappear in a few days.

The ministry points out that the vaccines have an excellent safety profile and are generally well tolerated. Manifestations, such as pain at the injection site, are common and occur in 15 to 20% of patients, being benign and usually resolved within 48 hours.

The infectologist and director of the Department of Immunizations of the Ministry of Health, Eder Gatti, explains that the flu vaccination campaign has been taking place in Brazil for over 20 years. “It is a seasonal campaign, that is, it is carried out every year, at the same time. All people should find out in their municipality and in the official channels of the federal government which are the priority groups”, he details.

Here are ten questions and answers to common flu vaccine questions:

1. How important is vaccination?

“The flu is not a common cold. It can evolve into more serious forms, which can kill. Therefore, it is a disease that requires care”, says Gatti.

The list of priority groups includes the most vulnerable people. Unlike a younger person, for example, the elderly are at greater risk of complications. “In addition to becoming more depressed, the elderly can develop pneumonia, with serious consequences.”

Vaccination coverage decreases every year, estimates the Ministry of Health.

“With the aim of resuming high coverage as soon as possible, that is, high protection, the Ministry of Health’s guidance is that municipalities start vaccination with all priority groups at the same time, to give people more opportunity to update the notebook”, says Gatti.

2. What are the priority groups?

The priority groups defined by the Ministry of Health are:

Seniors aged 60 and over; children from 6 months to under 6 years of age (5 years, 11 months and 29 days); pregnant and puerperal women; Indian people; health workers; public and private school teachers; people with comorbidities; people with permanent disabilities; security and rescue forces; Armed forces; truck drivers; urban and long-distance public road passenger transport workers; port workers; prison system officials; adolescents and young people from 12 to 21 years of age under socio-educational measures, and population deprived of liberty.

3. How is the vaccination schedule for children?

All children who received at least one dose of influenza vaccine in previous years should receive only one dose in 2023.

“For the indigenous population and people with comorbidities, the vaccine is indicated for children from 6 months to under 9 years of age. The two-dose scheme should be considered for children aged 6 months to less than 9 years, who will be vaccinated for the first time, and the second dose should be scheduled for 30 days after the first dose”, says Gatti.

4. Why should the vaccine be taken every year?

The immunizers used in the SUS are trivalent, produced by the Butantan Institute and distributed to the entire public health network.

The composition of the vaccine changes each year, according to the strains of the virus that are most circulating at the moment, informed in the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Because the influenza virus is constantly changing, it’s important to get an up-to-date vaccine every year to maintain protection.

“This happens because it is necessary to raise the number of antibodies in the body. Viruses constantly mutate. In addition, there are several types of influenza that circulate in the world. For this reason, there is global surveillance carried out by the World Health Organization to find out what type of virus is circulating. This surveillance dictates, precisely, what the composition of the vaccine is. So, year after year, the vaccine changes”, details the expert.

5. Does the vaccine cause side effects?

The vaccine is safe and composed of non-activated virus, according to the ministry. Like any immunizer, it stimulates the immune system to produce defense.

“It is common for people to have a feeling of pain in the body or a possible low fever. This is nothing more than the body itself reacting against the antigens that were injected with the vaccine. This is the first step for the person to have their protection guaranteed. These events are rare, but when they do happen, they shouldn’t be a cause for concern. It is simply the body reacting and creating defenses”, he points out.

6. How long does vaccine protection last?

Detection of protective antibodies occurs between two and three weeks after vaccination and generally lasts for 6 to 12 months. The peak of antibodies occurs after 4 to 6 weeks.

“The protection afforded by vaccination is approximately one year, which is why it is done annually”, adds the infectologist.

7. Can the flu vaccine be applied along with the Covid-19 vaccine or others?

The application of the flu vaccine can, yes, be done together with other vaccines. The Ministry of Health guides municipalities to take advantage of the opportunity for people to visit the health unit to also update immunization against Covid-19 and, if possible, update other pending vaccines in each one’s calendar.

8. What is the guidance for vaccinating pregnant and postpartum women?

Pregnant women are at greater risk of serious illness and complications caused by influenza and can be vaccinated at any gestational age.

All women within 45 days of giving birth are included in the vaccination target group. For this, they must present a document that proves the puerperium (birth certificate, pregnant woman’s card, document from the hospital where the birth took place, among others) during the vaccination period.

9. Where are flu shots manufactured?

In Brazil, vaccines produced by the Butantan Institute are used in the SUS.

More than 80 million doses will be distributed to the states in a staggered way, according to the progress of the campaign.

10. Can anyone who is not part of the priority groups get vaccinated?

Those who are not part of the groups defined by the ministry can take the vaccine in the private network, the values ​​vary from one region to another. On average, the dose is offered for amounts ranging from R$ 89 to R$ 180 reais.

The composition of the immunizer is similar to that of the dose provided by the SUS, with the addition of a strain of the flu virus.