Vaccination against flu has campaign extended in SP – 05/30/2023 – Health

The Municipal Secretary of Health in São Paulo has extended the vaccination campaign against the influenza virus, which causes the flu, for an indefinite period.

Anyone over six months can receive the dose. The vaccine is important to avoid serious cases of the disease.

The Ministry of Health recommends two doses of vaccine against the influenza virus for children aged 6 months to 9 years old, who will be vaccinated for the first time. The interval must be at least 30 days. From the age of nine, the dose is only one.

The folder announced the closure of the campaign for this Wednesday (31), but instructed states and municipalities to expand the calendar of local actions while vaccine stocks last.

According to the platform of the Secretariat of Information and Digital Health, linked to the Ministry of Health, until noon on Tuesday, vaccination coverage in the municipality of São Paulo was 33.29%, considering only the groups defined by the ministry to this calculation — pregnant women, postpartum women, the elderly, health workers, teachers and indigenous peoples.

In the city of São Paulo, vaccination against the influenza virus takes place at all Basic Health Units (UBS), from Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm, and at Outpatient Medical Assistance (AMAs)/Integrated UBS, which at the same time, including Saturdays and holidays.

The Busca Saúde platform informs the citizen’s reference unit.

The vaccine is made available every year, before winter, when respiratory diseases are more common. Benign manifestations, such as injection site pain, are common and occur in 15% to 20% of patients.

The immunizer is manufactured with inactivated, fragmented and purified viruses, and is not capable of inducing the development of the disease.

Influenza is an acute infection of the respiratory system, caused by the influenza virus, which has great transmission potential.

The most common symptoms are cough, shortness of breath, fever, headache, sore throat and body, malaise, chills, excessive nasal discharge, fatigue and diarrhea.

High fever and difficulty breathing are signs of aggravation. The main complication is pneumonia, but the patient may experience worsening chronic diseases, otitis, sinusitis and dehydration.