Covid-19: the state of SP has 9 million with the third dose of the delayed vaccine

The Department of Health Budget considers people 12 years of age and older who are already able to take this booster; Brazil has seen a new wave of virus infections

At least nine million residents in the state of São Paulo received the 3rd dose of the covid-19 vaccine late, according to a budget from the São Paulo Department of Health. With the new high in virus cases in the past week, experts said seeking the 3rd and 4th booster injection is the best way to prevent the rapid progression of the disease. They also recommend, especially for the most vulnerable groups, to resume the use of masks indoors.

The government budget considers the population aged 12 (in total, 38 million in the state), for which the 3rd dose has already been recommended. Also according to the file, there are seven million who could have the 4th injection and still haven’t. For this reinforcement, the State considers the public aged 40 or over suitable, although cities had the autonomy to recommend the complement to a larger group. The capital, for example, applies the 4th dose to all adults.

“Not having vaccinations in order is a disaster,” said Gonzalo Vecina Neto, former municipal health secretary. “The vaccine reduces mortality. The experience of the State of Sao Paulo informs: the probability of death with the updated vaccination is 26 times lower,” he says.

In Europe, the spread of BQ.1 has led to a new high of infected people since September. While not as severe as other waves in the past, local authorities have warned of the need to keep the pandemic under control. “In Germany, for example, ICU admissions (per covid) have doubled within fifteen to twenty days,” says COVID-19 Analysis Network coordinator Isaac Schrarstzhaupt.

While he does not have the same number of patients as other waves of disease, he warns of the risk of putting pressure on the health system, which already has to deal with other needs. “What is normal ICU? It’s an occupation that’s always up there, 85%, 90%. If there’s a wave that suddenly builds up, it can complicate hospital systems,” he adds.

Why are immunization rates low?

For specialists, the low demand for a booster vaccine is the result of the sum of some factors. The first is the feeling of tranquility, caused by the cooling of the health crisis of recent months, with fewer infections and daily deaths.

“It seems that the search for a vaccine is a bit reactive. When we see countries that have stagnated (vaccination) and then there is a (new) wave, we see that the search for the dose increases again “, analyzes Schrarstzhaupt. This behavior, according to him, is dangerous and can lead to avoidable hospitalizations and deaths.” The vaccine is not a medicine. It’s preventative, “he says.

Vecina, in turn, complains about the lack of campaigns. “Right now we don’t have noise, we don’t have a call. We have a vaccination model that is activist. No campaign, no vaccination,” says he, who chaired the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

Regiane de Paula, of the State Department of Health, complains about the lack of leadership of the Ministry of Health, constant complaint against the Jair Bolsonaro government in more than two and a half years of pandemic. “Unfortunately, the National Immunization Program is at a time when it has no role at all, delegating the role primarily to states,” she says.

The Ministry of Health, in turn, stated to “constantly strengthen, through communication campaigns and actions advertised in all official channels of the Ministry, the importance of completing the vaccination calendar with the booster dose to ensure maximum protection against the virus “.

bivalent vaccine

To stop the advancement of new variants, other countries like United States and some regions of Europe have begun to apply a more current version of the covid-19 vaccine. Called bivalent, the protection is produced by Pfizer and is effective against multiple stresses at the same time: they protect, according to the company, from the BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 versions of the omicron🇧🇷

There are still no predictions for the arrival of the country’s most protective immunizer. Pfizer requested emergency use of the vaccine in Anvisa in October🇧🇷 Regian points out that councils and the state have charged a federal position on purchasing the upgraded immunizer.

The Ministry of Health specified that the vaccines it supplies “are the latest versions approved by Anvisa” and that “the current contract with suppliers provides for the delivery of vaccines with updated strains”.

According to Anvisa, “the analyzes of the new versions of the vaccines are underway”. The processes, says the body, are in the final phase of the analysis by the technical area, but there is still no date for the final resolution.

For the pediatrician Isabella Ballalai, however, the need now is to strengthen the application of the booster with the version of the immunizer available in the country. “People can’t wait for the bivalent. What we need now is for people to seek reinforcements, especially for the younger ones,” she says.

Another concern is the low immunization rate of children and adolescents. “What worries us most today are our children and adolescents. For them, yes, the coverage of two doses is very low, with an average of 40%,” warns her, vice president of the Brazilian Immunization Society.

Panorama

Similar to the capital Sao Paulo, other large urban centers also perceive low adherence to booster vaccination against covid-19. In Forcethe fifth largest city in the country and the second largest in the northeast, despite the fourth dose being released to the general population since March this year, some 598,000 people from Fortaleza have sought places to strengthen immunization, which corresponds to 34 % of the vaccinated population.

Northern Brazil, in Nice view, capital of Roraima, the adhesion of the second reinforcement is only 4.10% of the eligible population (people over the age of 40). To the Rio de Janeiroto date, 1.6 million cariocas have not yet returned to their health centers to take the second booster dose, which corresponds to about 25% of the population. Already inside CuritibaAccording to the city hall, the absentee rate for booster doses is 32.3%. The city did not specify the specific percentage for the third and fourth additional dose.

In addition to the vaccine

As a new wave begins, experts point out that it is time for specific groups to double their care. Raquel Stucchi considers those who, for whatever reason, have not been vaccinated or have an incomplete vaccination program – which includes booster doses – at risk of serious illness, in addition to the elderly and immunosuppressed. “Indoors or in an open environment with a lot of agglomeration. It is important that they wear a mask again, preferably the surgical mask or the PFF2 type.”

The infectologist adds that anyone with respiratory symptoms should also wear face protection and, above all, get tested, as there is also the circulation of the flu, the flu virus.

🇧🇷The best content in your email for free. Choose your favorite Earth Newsletter. Click here!

Source: Terra

Benjamin

Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.