The flu vaccine was released to the entire population of Santa Catarina as of Friday (3). The remaining doses of the vaccine will be released for use in the entire population over 6 months. The information was confirmed by the State Department of Health (SES) on Thursday night (2).
Last Tuesday (30) the Ministry of Health had issued a recommendation to expand vaccination, using surplus doses in the general population. The measure comes due to the high rates of hospitalizations due to the flu. In Santa Catarina, the occupancy rate of ICU beds is 93.13%.
With the expansion, the objective is to reduce the number of hospitalizations and serious cases caused by the disease. Vaccination coverage in the State is at 32%, according to SES, while the target recommended by the Ministry of Health 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, of getting vaccinated against the flu. These groups are more likely to become seriously ill as a result of the influenza virus.
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 for two to three weeks after applying the dose, which is why SES warns of the importance of getting vaccinated as soon as possible, avoiding serious cases, hospitalizations and deaths from flu.
Children who will receive the vaccine for the first time must take two doses, with an interval of 30 days between them. For those aged 10 to 14 and in municipalities where the dengue vaccine is offered, the recommended interval between flu and dengue doses should be 24 hours.
