Photo: Ricardo Trida / SECOM
Starting next Friday, May 3rd, the Flu Vaccination Campaign will be expanded in Santa Catarina. The remaining doses of the vaccine will be released for use in the entire population over 6 months of age.
The measure follows the recommendation made by the Ministry of Health (MS), last Tuesday, April 30, to use surplus doses in the general population, given the large number of hospitalizations recorded as a result of the flu.
With the expansion, SES intends to reduce the number of hospitalizations and serious cases caused by the disease. Vaccination coverage in the state is at 32% and the target recommended by the MS is 90%.
The Secretary of State for Health, Carmen Zanotto, highlights the importance of the most vulnerable people, who are part of one of the priority groups to be vaccinated against the flu, taking into account that this population is more likely to become seriously ill as a result. of the influenza virus. “We are appealing to the entire population to seek vaccination centers. We are at a time of overcrowding in our emergencies, respiratory diseases have already arrived and everyone needs to do their part. Vaccines save lives.”
The vaccine offered in the public health network prevents the main influenza viruses present in Brazil, which are influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B virus. However, protection only occurs two to three weeks after dose application, which is why the State Department of Health warns of the importance of getting vaccinated as soon as possible, avoiding serious cases, hospitalizations and deaths from flu.
It is important to highlight that children who will receive the vaccine for the first time must take two doses, 30 days apart.
For those who are also in the priority age group and municipalities for the application of the dengue vaccine, which is 10 to 14 years old, the recommended interval between flu and dengue doses should be 24 hours.
Tags: Department Health releases flu vaccine entire population months age
