SC calls for expansion of the priority group of children for flu vaccination

Currently, only children aged six months to five years are included in the campaign (Photo: São Francisco do Sul City Hall, Disclosure)

The Secretary of State for Health of Santa Catarina, Carmen Zanotto, asked the Ministry of Health to expand the priority group of children to vaccination against the flu. The request is that this group includes all children up to 12 years old. Currently, only those aged six months to five years are included in the flu vaccination campaign.

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In the letter sent this Tuesday (23), the secretary argues that there was an anticipation in the circulation of respiratory viruses in the State, such as influenza. Currently, according to the SES, there is a tendency for an increase in cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), with cases of SARS due to influenza already accounting for more than 10% of the total.

“The analysis by age group shows that 40% of SARS caused by influenza occur among children aged 6 months to 12 years of age and 40% in elderly people over 60 years of age”, argues the letter.

Bed occupancy

This Wednesday (24), neonatal ICU beds are occupied at 93.5%, with all beds occupied in four regions: Greater Florianópolis, Oeste, Planalto Norte and Norte, and Foz do Rio Itajaí. In pediatric beds, occupancy reached 90.26%, with maximum capacity in the Midwest and Serra and Greater Florianópolis.

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The expansion of the age range covered by the Flu Vaccination Campaign, according to the State Department of Health (SES), takes into account “the seasonality period and the need to protect groups that most require hospitalization, currently impacting the occupation of beds in the state of Santa Catarina”.