The Ministry of Health expands influenza vaccination to exceed priority groups | science and health

The Ministry of Health directed, Saturday (3), that municipalities start vaccinating all residents from the age of six months against influenza. The folder reported that it had already reported to the states and municipalities. It will be up to each health department to determine the best way to extend vaccination.

The campaign against influenza includes more than 80 million doses of influenza vaccines produced by the Butantan Institute, according to the Ministry of Health, so far 34.2 million people have been vaccinated, which represents about 42% of priority groups, and the indicator is considered low.

The Ministry of Health directs municipalities to expand who can receive the flu vaccine

In the case of children and pregnant women, the goal has not been reached in any of the Brazilian states, and since there are doses available in all municipalities, the Ministry recommended extending vaccination from six months of age and extending the campaign while there are doses.

For those who are part of the target audience, such as people over 60 and postpartum women, who have not yet been vaccinated, the Ministry of Health stresses the importance of influenza protection. However, the guiding principle is to seek out a Covid-19 vaccine first and wait 14 days to schedule a flu vaccination.

With some similar symptoms, doctors note that the flu could make diagnosing Covid-19 difficult and put more stress on the health system if most of the population is not immunized.

“We will need to hospitalize these patients, either in a ward or in the intensive care unit, and we will already find a health system full of Covid patients,” explains infection specialist Christian Cobal, director of the Brazilian Society of Infectology, in an interview with Journal Nacional.