Health alert for flu vaccination in priority groups

The Ministry of Health warned this Tuesday, 11, a the importance of immunizing the more than 80 million people who are in the priority group for influenza vaccination. In 2022, 68% of the target audience received the dose. For this year, the goal is to immunize 90% of the priority group, which includes the elderly; children from 6 months to less than 6 years; pregnant and new-born women; indigenous; Healthcare workers; teachers of public and private networks; and people with comorbidities.

People with permanent disabilities should also receive the trivalent dose, which protects against major strains of the virus; security and rescue forces; members of the Armed Forces; truckers; urban and long-distance transport workers on public roads; port workers; prison system officials; adolescents and young people aged 12 to 21 subject to socio-educational measures; and the population deprived of liberty.

The increase in influenza or flu cases recorded in recent years, according to the file, reinforces the importance of vaccination in an effort to avoid serious cases and deaths, especially in those at the highest risk. In 2021, 7,200 cases and 901 deaths were recorded in the country while, in 2022, the numbers jumped to 12,169 and 1,612 respectively. This year, 1,300 cases of flu have already been confirmed, as well as 87 deaths.

Countryside

With the concept “The vaccine is life. The vaccine is for everyone”, the advertising campaign elaborated by the dossier begins to be broadcast nationwide this Tuesday (11) on open TV, closed TV and social networks, as well as in places of great circulation of people, radio and internet. A total of 80 million doses of the trivalent flu vaccine, manufactured by the Butantan Institute, will be distributed in stages, according to the progress of the campaign.

The vaccine formulation is updated annually so that the dose is effective in protecting against viral strains circulating in the previous year. The ministry reiterated that the flu vaccine can be applied alongside any vaccine from the National Immunization Program, including those for covid-19. This year, the recommendation for states and municipalities is that flu vaccination be done in one step, covering all priority groups.

Children

All children who have received at least one dose of the flu vaccine in previous years are expected to receive only one dose in 2023. For indigenous peoples and people with comorbidities, the vaccine is indicated for children aged 6 months to less than 9 years. The two-dose schedule should be considered for all children who will be vaccinated for the first time, with the second dose scheduled for 30 days after the first.