SP opens bivalent vaccine xepa for people over 18 years old – 04/26/2023 – Health

The UBSs (Basic Health Units) of the city of São Paulo open this Thursday (27) registrations for xepa of the bivalent vaccine against Covid-19 for all people from 18 years old.

Since this Wednesday (26), the capital of São Paulo has started to apply booster immunization to those aged 50 and over.

Vaccination for those aged 18 and over was authorized on Monday (24) by the Ministry of Health throughout the country. Without sufficient doses to immunize the entire target audience, the Ricardo Nunes (MDB) management, however, decided, for the time being, to limit the application of the vaccine to those over 50.

The doses of xepa are those left over in open bottles, but they are not applied until close to closing time at the health post. To be entitled to the remaining vaccines, you must leave your name and phone number at the UBS closest to your residence to be able to arrive in time to pick up the open unit.

Anyone who has already received at least two doses of monovalent vaccines (Coronavirus, Astrazeneca or Pfizer) should take the bivalent vaccine, respecting a four-month interval between the last dose.

The vaccine, which contains a blend of the original virus strain from Wuhan, China, and omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, offers increased protection against omicron and circulating strains of the Covid virus.

According to the Municipal Health Department, the opening for new age groups will occur as new batches of vaccines are received.

In all, 9 million people over 18 years old can be vaccinated with the booster dose in the capital of São Paulo, according to the municipal folder.

City hall claims it received 161 additional doses to expand immunization.

The vaccine is available at the UBSs and Outpatient Medical Assistance (AMAs)/Integrated UBSs from Monday to Friday, from 7am to 7pm, and on Saturdays at the AMAs/Integrated UBSs, also from 7am to 7pm.

Unlike São Paulo, capitals such as Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Salvador started applying the bivalent booster dose against Covid-19 for the entire population over 18 years old.

Already other prefectures, such as Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Curitiba, are waiting for more doses to be sent.

The Ministry of Health said it will deliver 1.3 million doses of the bivalent vaccine against Covid to the government of São Paulo by the end of this week.

According to the State Department of Health, the target audience throughout the state of São Paulo is 23 million people.

In addition to all people over 50 years old, the bivalent Pfizer is available to people over 12 years old with immunosuppression or comorbidities, indigenous people, pregnant and postpartum women, residents in long-stay institutions and employees of these equipment in the city of São Paulo, professionals from the health, people with permanent physical disabilities, population deprived of freedom and employees of the prison system, in addition to the homeless population.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIVALENT VACCINE AGAINST COVID

WHAT IS A BIVALENT VACCINE?

Bivalent vaccines are updated versions of Covid immunizers containing the original Wuhan strain combined with the omicron variant, currently prevalent worldwide.

In Brazil, Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) approved the emergency use of two bivalent formulations by Pfizer (containing subvariants BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 of omicron). The agency authorized the use of immunizers as boosters for people aged 12 and over.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

In general, the updated omicron vaccines maintain the same safety standard as the monovalent forms already authorized and used by billions of people around the world.

In general, the most common effects that have been reported are pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, body aches (myalgia), fever and chills.

Such effects have also been reported with boosters of monovalent vaccines and are considered mild, with symptoms disappearing within 24 hours.

Health professionals are advised at vaccination posts to monitor the intensity of the effects and, if necessary, to use common analgesic drugs for treatment.

Other less common side effects considered moderate to severe may include myocarditis (inflammation of the myocardium), pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium), chest pain, shortness of breath, and arrhythmia.

ARE THERE ANY CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR BIVALENT BOOST?

In scientific studies, there were no side effects of bivalent vaccines different from those observed with monovalent vaccines, with a general incidence of mild effects, such as pain at the application site, fever and muscle aches.

There is also no contraindication to receiving the Covid vaccine in conjunction with other vaccines, such as the flu. Updating vaccination with boosters can be done after four months since the last vaccine applied.