From this Monday (15), the entire population over six months of age will be able to vaccinate against the flu after determination of the Ministry of Health.
Since April 10th, the immunization campaign against the Influenza virus has been recommended for priority groups – those at greater risk of developing severe cases of the disease.
In an interview with CNN This Sunday (14), infectologist Renato Kfouri explained that the decision to expand the supply of doses was taken by the authorities after low adherence by the priority population.
“Unfortunately, that year, only 30% of this most vulnerable target population attended [para se vacinar]. So it’s obvious that we’re going to release the vaccine to everyone. We are not going to waste doses”, said the vice president of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIM).
Anyway, he reinforced the importance that the most vulnerable groups attend to get vaccinated even if the offer has been expanded.
“Almost every year the same percentage of severe cases is repeated: seven out of every ten individuals hospitalized or who die from the flu are from these risk groups”, he declared.
Kfouri explained that the priority group follows the same logic as immunization against Covid-19.
“Above 60 years, because age is a primordial factor in the development of severe forms. Children too. They play a very important role in the transmission of the disease. Pregnant women, and the pregnant woman not only protects herself from pregnancy complications, but also protects the baby, reducing prematurity and antibodies through the placenta and breast milk ”, she listed.
“And all those who have a risk factor: some lowered immunity or some comorbidity, diabetic, those who have heart disease, kidney disease, hypertension, those who make continuous use of medications”, he concluded.
According to the Ministry of Health, the expansion of the vaccine offer aims to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease, which can lead to serious conditions, hospitalizations and deaths.
In addition, according to the folder, the guidance meets the request of states and municipalities, which can use vaccines in stock and adopt local strategies to operationalize immunization, taking into account the realities of each region.
The vaccine is provided free of charge by the Unified Health System (SUS). The national flu vaccination campaign began on April 10th.
To date, approximately 21 million people have received the Influenza vaccine, which represents about 30% of the priority group. The goal is to vaccinate at least 90% of each of the priority groups.
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.
The influenza virus vaccine is not capable of causing the flu, contrary to the rumors that circulate on social media 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.
Source: CNN Brasil
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