Prevention of respiratory diseases in the Amazon winter; what vaccines to take

Prevention

The professional highlights the importance of seeking the influenza vaccine

After a ‘shy’ start, in November 2023, the ‘Amazonian winter’ has been intensifying in recent days, with intense rains this month of February. But in addition to filling the rivers and relieving heat pressure, this season, which lasts until May, also increases the number of cases of infectious diseases linked to the respiratory system. Fortunately, most of them are preventable by vaccines that can even be found in pharmacies.

One of the most common illnesses during this period is influenza, or ‘flu’ as it is commonly called. According to a bulletin released by the Amazonas Health Surveillance Foundation – Dr. Rosemary Costa Pinto – FVS-RCP/AM, by the end of the last rainy season, in May this year, 132 hospitalizations due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS) due to influenza, in the state.

“Influenza is an acute infection of the respiratory system that has a great potential for transmission during the rainy season, thus increasing cases and the demand for vaccines. Normally, because we see this greater demand during these periods, we already reinforce stocks in advance”, says the supervisor of pharmaceutical services at Rede Santo Remédio, Bruna Barros.

The professional highlights the importance of seeking the influenza vaccine and remembers that access to this vaccine has become increasingly easier. In addition to its availability on the public network, it can now be found in pharmacies, where there is no need to make an appointment and the procedure takes just a few minutes.

Since 2014, through Law No. 13,021, pharmacies can perform these pharmaceutical services through a qualified professional. “We have pharmacists with specializations that allow the application of immunization agents and we have vaccine rooms for the best convenience of customers”, says the professional.

Other indications

Also recommended for the Amazon winter, pneumococcal 13 is a vaccine that prevents pneumonia, a disease that affects the respiratory system and can spread to the blood and lungs. It is important to check with your doctor about the need to apply the vaccine, but guidance is usually common for elderly people, smokers, people with chronic illnesses or low immunity.

Meningitis is another common disease in the Amazon rainy season, as its transmission is facilitated by the crowding of people in closed places. Fortunately, the disease can be prevented by the meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines, which can be found in pharmacies. Some of the symptoms of the disease are: high fever, headache, difficulty moving the neck, among others.
“In addition to vaccines, it is important that prevention is accompanied by certain behaviors, such as avoiding unventilated environments, maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition, helping to strengthen immunity”, comments the pharmacist.

Data

According to data from the Information System of the National Immunization Program (SI-PNI), of the Ministry of Health (MS), vaccination coverage in Amazonas for all immunization agents available in the public network was 47.08%, until October 2023. The minimum percentage considered ideal is 75% and the most recommended is 90%. In the last 23 years, the only time the best rate was exceeded was in 2015, when vaccination coverage reached 94%.

*With information from consultancy.

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