young people and adults also need to get vaccinated

For example: if a person travels to a region at risk of yellow fever, they will need to be up to date with their vaccination because some countries require a certificate of protection against the disease (countries such as Panama, Dominican Republic and Cuba, among others). If you work or even visit high-risk regions in Brazil, such as the Amazon, you will also need to be vaccinated. Although many people do not know, the yellow fever vaccine is part of the PNI for adults and, since 2017, Brazil has adopted a single-dose vaccination schedule, following the recommendations of the WHO (World Health Organization).

Another example of vaccine indication in adulthood is for people with chronic diseases and transplant recipients, precisely to reduce the risk of developing serious forms of infectious diseases. People undergoing cancer treatment, for example, should also discuss with their doctor the need to update their vaccinations. This is because cancer treatment leaves the person’s immunity lower and, consequently, they may suffer greater harm if they become infected with a vaccine-preventable disease.

Although vaccines are available in the public health network, many adults do not get vaccinated. “Perhaps adults do not seek vaccination because they have the feeling that they have already had all their childhood vaccinations and, therefore, they think they are strong and protected and do not need to worry anymore. It may also be that they are unaware of the existence of a calendar vaccination for adults or even if one believes in false news spread on social media about vaccines, especially in recent years. Perhaps there is not just one critical point, but rather a combination of factors”, assesses infectious disease specialist Emy Akiyama Gouveia, from Hospital Israelita. Albert Einstein.

What are the vaccines?

The national vaccination calendar for adults includes the recommendation of vaccines against hepatitis B (there are three doses, depending on the person’s vaccination history), double vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus (with a booster every ten years or every five in case of injuries severe) and yellow fever (single dose) for adults of any age. The HPV vaccine in the public network is recommended for adults up to 45 years of age who are victims of sexual abuse, but there is an option for all ages in the private network.

For adults between 20 and 29 years old, the Ministry of Health recommends the triple viral vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella in a two-dose schedule). From 30 to 59 years old, the recommendation is to repeat the MMR. From the age of 60 onwards, the acellular Tpa vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) is recommended. The government also carries out annual vaccination against influenza for at-risk groups, including the elderly.