Some are also applied by the SUS; ACWY meningococcus can be administered at any age starting from 3 months. In the case of the elderly there is a restriction for meningococcus B
Although children and adolescents remain the main target audience for meningitis vaccination campaigns, facing the cases of the disease in San Paolo, other groups should also be aware of the importance of immunization. The main concern, according to experts, is that the meningococcal meningitis it can have a very rapid evolution towards the severe form of the disease. Due to the increased risk of infections, it is essential that immunocompromised patients also seek to be vaccinated against the disease.
THE meningococcal ACWY it can be applied to any age starting from 3 months of age. In the case of the elderly, the age limit is for the application of art meningococcal B.
For Ana Paula Moschione Castro, PhD in Pediatrics, specialist in allergy and immunology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo (USP) and director of the Croce Clinic, the ACWY conjugate vaccine against meningococcal meningitis is the most affordable. “It can be applied from 3 months of age and there is no age limit in adulthood. In addition to the vaccination program for children and adolescents, adults must have at least one dose in adulthood, especially those who have never been vaccinated in the case of meningococcus B, this vaccine is given in infancy and is also released for adults up to 50 years of age, “he says.
Fernanda Gomes, nurse and director of the Brazilian Association of Vaccine Clinics (ABCVAC), stresses that immunocompromised patients should be immunized. “All those interested (and are not covered by the public network) can search the private network to obtain the vaccine. Immunization against meningitis is recommended for adults from 2 months of age. There are no contraindications for immunocompromised patients, “he reiterated.
“There are licensed vaccines against meningitis in Brazil meningococcal ACWY, for example, who have no age limit, even the elderly can receive. Furthermore, there are no problems with impaired immunity, as vaccines against meningococcal diseases are inactivated, “says Cláudia Cavalcante Valente, member of the Scientific Department of Immunization of the Brazilian Association of Allergies and Immunology (Asbai). Can and must receive the vaccine. People who travel frequently should also be vaccinated. “
Experts recommend following your doctor’s advice and seeking guidance on the vaccinations you can receive.
What is meningitis?
THE Meningococcal meningitis is spread by a group of bacteria called meningococcus, and causes inflammation in the meninges, the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by infections of various microorganisms, such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Transmission occurs through the respiratory tract, that is, through the air. It can leave sequelae of neurological, auditory and chronic pain.
In Brazil, the most common is type C (affecting 80% of cases), followed by type B. Types A, W and Y are less common. Vaccines are considered the best way to prevent meningitis and are specific to each serogroup.
Meningococcal C versus meningococcal ACWY
In the private network, the vaccine that includes type C is the quadrivalent conjugate ACWY, at an average cost of R $ 360 per application. It is usually given in three doses up to 1 year of age, depending on the manufacturer’s brand. A booster between 5 and 6 years and another dose at 11 years is also recommended. It can also be applied to adults, the elderly and immunosuppressed people.
In the public network, the vaccine against meningococcus C (Conjugate) is administered in two doses, at 3 and 5 months of age, and a booster preferably at 12 months of age. According to the target audience, if the child up to 10 years of age has not been vaccinated, they should take a dose of the immunizer. Until February 2023, healthcare professionals also receive the vaccine through the Unified Health System (SUS).
The ACWY meningococcal vaccine is available on the National Vaccination Calendar for adolescents between 11 and 12 years old, but, until June 2023, those between 13 and 14 years of age will also be able to receive the dose. In younger children, meningococcal ACWY is not available on the public network.
“These are scheduled vaccines for children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Unfortunately, adolescents and adults do not have the habit of getting vaccinated. But at any time in life a person can be immunized against the disease,” Fernanda guides.
meningococcal B
Even if it is just behind the type C in number of cases, on average 20%, meningococcus B is only available in the private network. It costs, on average, R $ 600 and is given in three doses between 3 months and 1 year of age. THE The Brazilian Immunization Society (SBIm) also indicates immunization for high-risk groups, such as carriers of HIV.. It can be applied to adults up to 50 years old.
other vaccines
protect yourself pneumonia and also meningitis, the vaccine 13-valent conjugate pneumococcus (VPC13) is available on the private network. It costs around R $ 280. It is usually given in four doses up to 1 year and 3 months of age, depending on the manufacturer’s brand. In the public network, children of the same age receive the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV10).
In SUS, the vaccine that protects against 13 pneumococcal serotypes is only available to people 5 years of age and older, including adults with the following conditions: HIV / AIDS patients, cancer patients, solid organ transplants and transplants from hematopoietic stem cells (bone marrow).
The conjugate vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) it is available on the private and public network. Protection against meningitis caused by bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b can be given individually, but is usually given either the hexavalent vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and hepatitis B and polio, or the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against the same diseases except polio. It is usually applied to children up to 5 years old. In the private network, there are four doses between 2 months and 1 year and 6 months of age.
In SUS it is available in three doses: at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. People with diseases that compromise the immunity or function of the spleen (an organ that plays a vital role in protecting against this bacterium), or those who have this organ removed surgically, should be vaccinated. The immunizer costs around R $ 150. The price of pentavalent and hexavalent is around R $ 250 each.
In the private network, the vaccine 23-valent pneumococcus (polysaccharide) is indicated for children over 2 years of age, adolescents and adults who have a health problem that increases the risk of pneumococcal disease (diabetes, severe heart and respiratory diseases, people without a spleen or with impaired organ function, for example) and for people over the age of 60 as a routine.
It is not recommended as a routine application in healthy children, adolescents and adults. Its price is about R $ 200. In SUS, the vaccine is available to the entire indigenous population over the age of 5, without the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) test. For the population aged 60 years and older, revaccination is indicated only once and should be performed five years after the initial dose.
In addition to the vaccines described above, each child takes a single dose of BCG vaccine, which protects against tuberculous meningitis. Immunization prevents Koch’s bacillus, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis, from settling in the meninges. It is given free of charge in the public network and also on maternity leave. In times when it is lacking and the application is recommended on leaving the hospital, it can be administered in the public or private network. The cost in the private network is about R $ 130.
Blockade of the vaccine to contain the epidemic on the east side
After immunizing 30,000 people, the Municipal Health Department (SMS) has concluded the blockade of the meningococcal meningitis vaccine in the districts of Vila Formosa and Aricanduva, in the eastern part of São Paulo, where a localized outbreak of the disease has occurred. Between 17 September and Tuesday 10, 30,027 people in the region were vaccinated, adolescents aged 11 to 14 with the meningo immunizer ACWY and others, in the age groups from 3 months to 10 years and from 15 to 64 years, with the boy C.
From the beginning of the year to Tuesday, 58 cases of meningococcal disease were recorded in the capital, while from January to September 2019 there were 158 cases of the disease. So far, the number of deaths stands at ten cases in 2022, up from 28 between January and September 2019.
It is worth remembering that only in exceptional situations, such as the localized outbreak that occurred in the districts of Vila Formosa and Aricanduva, are immunizing agents administered to adults from the public network.. The exception is health workers, who can be vaccinated with a proof of employment in a health service in the city of São Paulo. The vaccination of these professionals is released until February 2023.
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Source: Terra
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