Meningitis: SP extends vaccination for children up to 10 years old – 04/24/2023 – Health
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The increase in the number of cases of meningitis in the state of São Paulo at the beginning of the year, compared to 2022, caused the State Department of Health to extend this Monday (24) vaccination for children up to 10 years old and professionals of health.
According to the folder, at the beginning of the year, 1,140 cases of all types of meningitis have already been registered in the state, 9% more than the 1,040 cases in the same period of 2022. Regarding deaths, the numbers for 2023 are better: 79 deaths , against 110 last year.
The extension was first made in July 2021, and in July 2022 it was extended to healthcare workers to increase protection against the disease.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the central nervous system. This inflammation can occur in infectious and non-infectious forms and, therefore, also presents different risks for the patient.
In the PNI (National Immunization Program) calendar, vaccination with the meningococcal vaccine C must be carried out in three doses, the first two at three and five months of age, with an eight-week interval between doses, and a booster, preferably at 12 months. “Those who have not completed their vaccination schedule, now up to 10 years of age, can look for a closer health post to update their vaccination card”, informed the secretariat, in a note.
“It is an important measure, considering the severity and lethality of the disease, regardless of age, but mainly for children and health professionals. Currently, if we compare it with the same period last year, we have a 9% increase in cases. it is very important that the population is protected”, said Tatiana Lang D’Agostini, director of the Center for Epidemiological Surveillance of the State of São Paulo.
In 2022, vaccination coverage for meningococcal C was 77.7%, against 74.5% in 2021. This year, in January alone, coverage was 94.4% in the state of São Paulo, according to the ministry. The coverage target is 95%.
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