See how the flu vaccination will be – 03/23/2023 – Health

Vaccination against the influenza virus, which causes the flu, is expected to begin in the first half of April in the country, except in the northern states, where the scheme will be brought forward.

According to the Ministry of Health, in addition to having more areas of difficult access, the North region will face from April a period of intense rain and an increase in flu cases.

The report questioned the health secretariats of these states about the beginning of the campaign. In Amapá, Amazonas and Pará the doses have already arrived. Each municipality will set its immunization start date.

Tocantins also received the vaccines. The scheduled start date for the scheme is March 30.

The Secretary of Health of Roraima said that it is awaiting the sending of new doses of flu vaccines from the Ministry of Health, which should occur this week.

Acre was waiting for the arrival of 50 thousand doses this week and 25 thousand every 15 days.

The Government of Rondônia said, in a note, it has already received the necessary amount of vaccines against the flu and that the application will start this week, according to the strategies of the municipalities.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

Especially risk groups, who are at greater risk of severe cases. They are children under five years of age, pregnant and puerperal women, adults over 60 years of age and individuals with chronic diseases, especially cardiorespiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes, in addition to immunosuppressed people.

Which groups will receive the vaccine first?

Children from 6 months to 6 years old, pregnant and puerperal women, indigenous peoples, health workers, over 60 years old, public and private school teachers, chronically ill, people with permanent disabilities, security and rescue forces professionals, members of the armed forces, truck drivers, urban and long-distance public road passenger transport workers, port workers, prison system employees, young people aged 12 to 21 under socio-educational measures and the population deprived of liberty.

Why is it important to get the flu vaccine annually?

A characteristic of the virus is mutation. Vaccines are prepared for the seasonality of the following year. The viruses that circulated the most in the previous year are collected. The data regarding them are sent to the WHO (World Health Organization), which issues a note to the producing laboratories saying which strains should be included in the southern hemisphere.

In SUS (Unified Health System), immunizers are trivalent, produced by the Butantan Institute. The vaccine offered this year is composed of two strains of influenza A and one of B.

For Brazilian private clinics, the novelty this year is the Efluelda vaccine, aimed at the public over 60 years old. The immunizer, scheduled for arrival in April, is quadrivalent with a high concentration of antigens and provides a relative effectiveness of 24.2% more in protecting the elderly population, compared to the standard dose vaccine.

How long does it take for the vaccine to take effect?

At least 7 to 10 days, but the greatest production of antibodies occurs at four weeks. When the circulation of the virus increases, the defense system is already armored.

Can you take the flu vaccine along with the bivalent and the others against Covid?

Yes. The flu vaccine can be taken with any other vaccine on the immunization schedule.

What are the side effects?

In up to 10% of cases, pain at the application site, redness and skin tightening may occur. Below 3% there are systemic manifestations, such as low fever, feeling tired, muscle pain, headache. All reactions end around 48 to 62 hours. If they persist, it is recommended to seek a health service.

Are there contraindications?

The person should observe if he is allergic to the principles of the vaccine. Those allergic to eggs may receive the vaccine, including those with a history of anaphylaxis. Egg allergy is no longer considered a contraindication or precaution for the use of the vaccine against the influenza virus. The orientation is that the vaccine is applied in a hospital service, because, if the patient develops the allergic condition, it will be possible to revert it.

Can you get the vaccine with flu-like symptoms?

No. If any infection is suspected, the vaccine should be applied 48 to 72 hours after the condition improves.

Does the vaccine cause the flu?

No. The vaccine is made with inactivated virus. There are two common confusions: the person taking the vaccine, developing an adverse reaction and thinking it was the flu; or already be infected with any virus or bacteria when vaccinated.

_{Sources: Melissa Palmieri, director of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations — Regional São Paulo and doctor of the Epidemiological Surveillance of the Municipal Health Secretariat of São Paulo, and Ministry of Health.}