Flu vaccine: find out how to get it in the private healthcare network – 03/11/2024 – Health

Last week, the Ministry of Health advanced flu vaccination in the country due to the increase in the circulation of respiratory viruses throughout the national territory. The immunization campaign was brought forward by almost two months and will begin on March 25th.

The trivalent immunizer used by the SUS (Unified Health System), made in partnership with the Butantã Institute, will only be available to priority groups in the Northeast, Central-West, Southeast and South regions.

The department’s expectation is to start the vaccination cycle with the elderly, pregnant women, health workers, children from six months to six years of age, among other priority groups.

However, the private health network offers immunization options for all age groups from six months of age, according to a survey by Sheet with the main hospitals and private laboratories in the capital of São Paulo.

Hospital Sírio Libanês began immunization against influenza on March 9 and has the tetravalent vaccine available, recommended for people aged six months and older. The dose value was not informed, and an appointment is not necessary to get vaccinated.

The Fleury laboratory network, which began immunization last Friday (8), also has the tetravalent vaccine available, recommended for those aged six months or older.

Another option made available by the group is the high-dose vaccine, with a greater quantity of antigens, recommended for patients aged 60 and over. The prices of immunizers vary from R$98 to R$300. For those who want to be vaccinated online, it is necessary to make an appointment in advance.

Clinivac, which is part of Rede D’Or, also has vaccines for people aged six months and older, with prices starting at R$120. No appointment is necessary to get vaccinated.

Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein offers the tetravalent vaccine from pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and GSK, with an appointment only necessary for those who choose to receive the vaccine at home. The network did not disclose values.

Infectious disease doctor and professor at FMABC (ABC Faculty of Medicine), Juvencio Furtado answers the main questions about immunization against influenza.

Who can get the flu vaccine?

There is no contraindication. Flu vaccination is recommended for people aged six months and older. It can be applied to everyone.

What is the difference between the vaccine distributed by the SUS and the one from the private network?

Different vaccines are made available every year because there are different types of strains. The Butantã vaccine, used by SUS, is trivalent, that is, it protects against three types of Influenza virus.

The vaccine used in the private network is tetravalent. It is imported and protects against four types of strains. One of these is not in the Brazilian vaccine because it does not circulate in Brazil.

So, it is recommended that people who travel abroad frequently get immunized with the tetravalent vaccine, but this does not mean that the trivalent vaccine is not effective.

What are the side effects?

It is common to have some flu-like symptoms after the vaccine, such as a low-grade fever. Vaccination simulates this flu condition, which lasts around 24 hours.

Why was the flu vaccination schedule brought forward?

Brazil is a very large country, so there are regions where the prevalence of the virus is higher at times.

In the North region, for example, the incidence of this virus is higher at the end and beginning of the year. Therefore, vaccination for this population is usually anticipated.

The Ministry of Health decided to anticipate it for the rest of Brazil due to the circulation of other respiratory viruses. So, if it is possible to vaccinate the population against some type of important virus, it is possible to reduce the incidence of this disease and not confuse it with others.