Two sublines of a variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 have been identified in Brazil; Prevention and control measures need to be strengthened for children
Given the identification of two sublineages of a variant of corona virus in Brazil (JN.1 and JG.3), the Ministry of Health reported to monitor the scenario of new variants in the country and to strengthen vaccination as the main means of protection against covid-19.
“Right now, It is important that all Brazilians update their vaccination schedule with all the recommended doses for each age group, including the bivalent booster”, highlighted in the folder. “All vaccines available in SUS [Sistema Único de Saúde] They are currently effective against the variants circulating in the country, preventing serious symptoms and deaths.”
Antiviral
In a note, the Ministry underlined that the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is available in the public network for the treatment of Covid-19 infection in elderly people aged 65 or over and in immunosuppressed patients aged 18 or over, as soon as they appear symptoms and there is no confirmation of a positive test.
Subvariants
According to the Ministry, the JN.1 subvariant, initially detected in Ceará, is gaining global proportions and now accounts for 3.2% of records worldwide. The JG.3 sublineage, also identified in Ceará, is monitored in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Goiás.
Both subvariants have already been found in 47 countriesaccording to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“The Ministry of Health remains in line with all scientific evidence, with the most up-to-date recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat Covid-19, including vaccination planning in 2024, which is already underway.”
“The folder ensures that SUS will always have the most up-to-date, safe and effective vaccines approved by Anvisa available [Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária].”
Why was the covid vaccine included in the immunization program for children aged 6 months to 4 years?
Children
This is indicated, again according to the Ministry, by Brazilian and worldwide data Covid-19 prevention and control measures must be strengthened in children to protect them from severe forms of the disease and mitigate the spread of the virus in the general population.
From 2024, the complete vaccination program for children aged between 6 months and less than 5 years will include three doses, to be administered following the recommended intervals: between the first and second doses, an interval of four weeks; and, between the second and third doses, an interval of eight weeks.
Children who received three doses in 2023 will not have to repeat them next year.
Booster dose
After 5 years, children and adults who are part of priority groups will receive a booster dose in 2024. These are: elderly, immunocompromised, pregnant and postpartum women, healthcare workers, people with comorbidities, indigenous populations, riverside communities and quilombola, people living in long-term care institutions and their employees, people with permanent disabilities, people deprived of liberty over the age of 18, adolescents and young people subjected to socio-educational measures, system employees of deprivation of liberty and people living in the streets.
“These groups are those most at risk of developing severe forms of the disease. The inclusion of this public has already been assessed by the Technical Advisory Chamber for Covid-19 Immunization and the National Immunization Program (PNI)”, informed the ministry.
Ceará
The Ministry also underlined that, since the end of November, it has been in permanent contact with the health authorities of Ceará to provide support to the State. “A rapid intervention team from the department’s Covid-19 epidemiological surveillance technical area is ready to go to the site as soon as requested.”
The federal government sent the state a booster of 900 antiviral treatments for mild cases of Covid-19 for seniors 65 years and older and immunosuppressed people 18 years and older and authorized the shipment of another 820 treatments. Around 35 thousand reactions for the molecular diagnosis of the virus and 30 thousand rapid antigen tests were also sent to Ceará.
“Since the end of the emergency, decreed by the WHO in May this year, the recommendation has been maintained that groups at greatest risk of worsening of the disease continue to follow prevention and control measures, such as the use of masks in places closed, ventilated areas or with crowds; in addition to the isolation of patients infected with the virus. The recommendation also applies to people with flu-like symptoms.” / WITH INFORMATION FROM THE BRAZIL AGENCY
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
