Vaccination with the bivalent vaccine against Covid-19 began in February 2023 in Juiz de Fora. Almost a year later, adherence to the vaccine is 23%. According to data from the Juiz de Fora Health Department, 125,009 people received the bivalent vaccine in the municipality until March 15 of this year. The number is well below the 501,857 Juiz Foranos who received the first monovalent dose, a number that represents 92.8% of the city’s population, considering the total of 540,756 residents, according to the Census.
In May 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the end of the global public health emergency related to Covid-19. However, 2,328 deaths were registered as of March 21 in Brazil, according to the National Council of Health Secretaries (Conass). In addition to underreporting and cases considered suspicious amid the dengue epidemic, the country is the second with the most deaths from the disease in the world this year.
Although the number of Covid-19 cases in Juiz de Fora has decreased compared to previous years – in 2024, the municipality registered 297 confirmed cases until March 15, and in the same period, 490 cases were registered -, the decreased adherence to vaccine doses according to the vaccination schedule worries experts, especially with the arrival of autumn, a period in which respiratory diseases gain strength.
The Secretary of State for Health of Minas Gerais, Fábio Baccheretti, reported concern about the situation in a press conference held on March 12th. According to him, Minas is already registering an increase in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SRAG), with cases of Influenza and Covid-19, which places even greater demands on hospital services, especially among children.
Coverage above the national average
Currently, Brazil has around 80% of the population immunized with the first two doses of monovalent vaccines, that is, 167 million people. Half of the country (53%) is fully covered by available boosters, with the four monovalent doses available in the vaccination schedule. However, the bivalent vaccine – also considered as the fifth dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 – had low adherence, and was applied to around 16% of Brazilians (33.3 million doses), according to the Ministry of Health .
According to the Health Department of Juiz de Fora City Hall (PJF), 125,009 Juiz de Fora residents were vaccinated with the bivalent vaccine, which represents 23% of the population. The number is higher than the national average of Brazilians vaccinated with this dose, but is still below the level recommended by the Ministry of Health, of 95%.
For the infectious disease doctor and head of the Quality Management Sector at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Rodrigo Daniel de Souza, the low adherence to the bivalent is mainly attributed to the disseminated anti-vaccine fake news, which point out disproportionate and unfounded risks, in addition to the reduction in the general lethality of cases of Covid-19 infection as vaccination itself advances.
Importance of doses
Official data indicate a decrease in the lethality of the disease: since 2020, around 20% of the Brazilian population has contracted Covid-19 and, within this universe, 710,966 people have died as a result of it. At the height of the health crisis, in 2021, there were 423.3 thousand deaths, a number that has been decreasing proportionally since then. In 2024, the country had 2,328 deaths from Covid-19 by mid-March.
For experts, Covid-19 is slowly becoming a disease similar to the flu, with a very low mortality rate, accessible medicines and greater knowledge of the symptoms among the population. However, they point out that the current scenario would also be a consequence of vaccination.
The bivalent vaccine promotes immunization against new variants of the coronavirus, in addition to the original strain. It is administered in a single dose to everyone over 6 months of age, as long as the person has taken at least two doses of the monovalent vaccine. The City of Juiz de Fora clarified that vaccines against Covid-19 are part of the National Immunization Calendar, following the target audiences defined in the National Immunization Program (PNI). They are applied in Basic Health Units (UBS), Elderly Health Service (Sasi) and Department of Women, Pregnant Women, Children and Adolescents’ Health (DSMGCA).
Medical care
According to infectious disease doctor Rodrigo Daniel, even with the reduction in lethality of the most recent strains of Covid-19, whether due to the action of vaccines or changes in the virus, some patients, including vaccinated ones, can still develop serious forms. He highlights the importance of continuing to seek medical attention in cases of suspected illness. “It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health makes available free of charge to some specific groups a medicine for the treatment of Covid-19 in patients with mild conditions, but this must be started in the first days of the illness”, he explains.
Among the most common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever or chills, dry cough, sore throat and runny nose. However, Rodrigo explains that many of the patients infected with the most recent strains of Covid have developed diarrhea and conjunctivitis, in addition to other symptoms.
He also points out that diagnosis can be difficult amid cases of dengue and flu, recommending that people get tested. “Sometimes, when dengue manifests with fever and diarrhea, it can be difficult to differentiate. Sore throat and conjunctivitis are more uncommon in dengue. The most important thing is to seek medical attention for a better evaluation.”
The Ministry of Health also reinforces the importance of non-pharmacological measures (such as using masks and reducing crowds) and vaccination to prevent the disease.
*intern under the supervision of editor Rafaela Carvalho.
