Minas Gerais Agency | Minas Gerais begins vaccination against influenza

With the period of low temperatures approaching and the increase in the circulation of respiratory viruses, the State Department of Health of Minas Gerais (SES-MG) reinforces the importance of vaccination against influenza (flu). The campaign will be carried out from 3/25 to 5/31, but several municipalities in Minas Gerais will begin vaccination this week. The D-day of national mobilization is scheduled for 4/13.

On March 15, the state received 844,000 doses of the influenza vaccine, which have already been distributed to the state’s health regions. According to the Ministry of Health, more doses will be made available in shipments throughout the vaccination period. The estimate is that 8.7 million people are included in the priority groups for vaccination in the state.

Immunization aims to reduce complications, hospitalizations and mortality resulting from virus infections. The vaccine is safe and is available in Basic Health Units across the state.

The campaign will be carried out according to the priority population for vaccination: people aged 60 years or over, children aged 6 months to under 6 years, pregnant and postpartum women (women in the postpartum period), indigenous people, quilombolas, health workers , teachers, people with comorbidities, people with permanent disabilities, in addition to the Armed Forces, security and rescue, among others.

According to the state coordinator of the Immunization Program of the State Department of Health of Minas Gerais, Josianne Gusmão, vaccination against influenza is one of the most important prevention measures to protect against the disease, its complications and deaths, in addition to contributing to the reduction of viral circulation in the population, especially in individuals who have risk factors or conditions.

“The trivalent influenza vaccine used by the Unified Health System (SUS) is effective against the H1N1, H3N2 and type B strains. The detection of protective antibodies occurs between two and three weeks after vaccination and generally lasts six to 12 months. The maximum peak of antibodies occurs after four to six weeks and the protection provided by vaccination lasts approximately one year, which is why it must be carried out annually”, he explains.

“The goal is to immunize 90% of each of the priority groups for influenza vaccination. For the other groups, considering the unavailability of denominators, data on doses administered during the campaign will be made available”, he informs.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, in 2023, 7,452,798 doses of the influenza vaccine were administered in Minas Gerais to priority groups (children, health workers, pregnant women, postpartum women, indigenous people, the elderly and teachers). Coverage was 68.8% of this audience.

Influenza in Minas

In 2023, 549 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Srag) due to influenza and 51 deaths were reported. In 2024, until February, there were 11 reported cases of the disease and one death. SES-MG reinforces that the data is partial and subject to change.

Influenza is an acute viral infection that affects the respiratory system and is highly transmissible. It is caused by types A, B, C and D of the virus, with types A and B responsible for seasonal epidemics.

According to the coordinator of Acute Communicable Disease Surveillance Programs at SES-MG, Gilmar José Coelho Rodrigues, transmission occurs mainly from person to person, through respiratory droplets produced by coughing, sneezing or speaking from the infected person to a susceptible person.

“The main symptoms of the flu are fever, body aches, sore throat, cough and headache and are similar to the symptoms of Covid-19. Therefore, vaccination is one of the most important preventive measures to protect against these diseases. The influenza vaccine can be administered together with the covid-19 vaccine, so we recommend taking advantage of the opportunity of the vaccination campaign to update the vaccination status also for covid-19 in eligible groups”, warns Rodrigues.

Prevention

In addition to the vaccine, other measures can help with prevention. Are they:

– Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol gel, especially before consuming any food;

– Use disposable tissue for nasal hygiene;

– Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing;

– Avoid touching the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth;

– Do not share personal objects, such as cutlery, plates, glasses or bottles;

– Keep environments well ventilated;

– Avoid close contact with people who show signs or symptoms of flu;

– Avoid crowds and closed environments (try to keep environments ventilated);

– Adopt healthy habits, such as a balanced diet and fluid intake.

More information about the flu can be accessed at: https://saude.mg.gov.br/gripe.

Priority audience for influenza vaccination:

– Children (6 months to under 6 years);

– Pregnant and postpartum women;

– Health workers;

– Indian people;

– Quilombolas;

– Teachers;

– People with comorbidities;

– People with permanent disabilities, aged 12 and over;

– Truck drivers and workers in urban and long-distance public road passenger transport;

– Port workers;

– Security, Rescue and Armed Forces;

– People living on the streets;

– Population deprived of liberty and employees of the deprivation of liberty system;

– Adolescents under 18 years of age under socio-educational measures.