Flu vaccine reaches only 48% of the priority group – 08/11/2023 – Health

In almost four months of vaccination campaign against the Influenza virus, practically only half of the priority group in the state of São Paulo took the vaccine. Until the last day 3, coverage was 48.4%, well away from the target of 90%.

Started in April, the campaign was recently extended by the Secretary of State for Health. Until the end of this month, all people over six months old can receive the vaccine in the public health system, and not just those in the priority group.

In the same period as last year’s campaign, coverage of the priority group was 63.6%, according to the ministry.

The priority group is made up of children aged 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women, recent mothers, people aged 60 years or older, indigenous peoples, teachers and health workers.

With the exception of the populations of indigenous lands, all are far from reaching the target. In the case of children, coverage reached 36% on the last day 3. Among pregnant women, 46%, and, among the oldest, .

The immunizer causes the organism to produce antibodies against the infection and stimulates the cells’ memory so that they learn to deal with the virus. Less than 10% of people who receive the vaccine develop fever, malaise, and muscle aches, and allergic reactions are considered rare.

What is the flu

Influenza is an acute infection of the respiratory system caused by the Influenza virus. It is very dangerous and highly transmissible.

For Mônica Levi, president of SBIM (Brazilian Society of Immunizations), low coverage is still a reflection of the politicization of the vaccine and fake news.

“We’re flooded with information that leaves people confused and hesitant,” says Levi. “There was a lack of an effective and convincing campaign on the part of the authorities to vaccinate against the flu. We need to improve all the strategies that could lead to awareness among Brazilians. Conviction through logic has to return.”

“The process of bombing counter-information during the pandemic left deeper marks on the subconscious than we can imagine”, says infectologist Keilla Freitas, specialized in Hospital Infection Control at USP.

Freitas points out that this season is marked by the greater circulation of respiratory viruses, including those of the Influenza type. However, they circulate at any time of the year.

“Even people who are not in risk groups for complications from the disease can also have serious conditions. Get vaccinated to protect yourself and others”, reinforces Freitas.

Héber Azevedo, infectologist at BP – A Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo, recommends increased attention to children and the elderly.

In the first case, because the child is the vector of infection indoors and takes the virus to grandparents, parents and other children of the same age group, even outside of winter.

“In private practice, it is common for us to assist adults, mainly women, who caught the infection from their children, which could have been avoided with vaccination”, explains Azevedo.

In the population aged 60 and over, complications from influenza are more severe. “Influenza mortality in the elderly is higher than in a healthy young individual, because the elderly already have other comorbidities and the immune system has difficulty responding. Above 70 years, the mortality rate begins to increase a lot when they are affected by influenza “, warns Azevedo.

From January 1 to the 3rd of this month, the state recorded 2,466 cases of influenza, with 227 deaths, according to the Health Department.