Around 70% of Brazilians do not know the potential severity of the flu

Around 70% of Brazilians do not know that the flu, caused by the influenza virus, can worsen pre-existing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, and cause cardiovascular complications, such as stroke and heart attack. Furthermore, six out of ten Brazilians are unaware of the high degree of impact that the flu can have on vital organs, such as the lungs, heart and brain, especially in the elderly.

This data is part of a new survey carried out by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi in partnership with ALS Perception, in February 2024. Based on 2,000 interviews, carried out through digital questionnaires with Brazilians aged 40 and over, from all regions and social classes of the country, the research sought to analyze the population’s knowledge regarding the vaccine and the dangers of the flu. It is worth noting that the results have a margin of error of 2.2%.

Although 84% of participants said they knew the potential risks of not getting the flu vaccine, when asked what those risks were, the percentage of knowledge plummeted.

Regarding more general risks of the disease, such as “debilitating symptoms”, the awareness rate has dropped to less than half. In relation to more specific dangers, such as those related to vital organs, the worsening of pre-existing diseases and cardiovascular complications, this scenario was even worse.

The research highlighted the lack of knowledge regarding vaccination in general, especially when the target audience was the elderly. According to the survey, seven in ten Brazilians responsible for immunizing people over 60 years of age said they did not know which vaccines they should take. Furthermore, almost 25% of those interviewed revealed that they were not aware of the existence of a specific flu vaccine for older people.

It is worth highlighting that the elderly are part of the risk group for the flu, that is, they are more likely to develop complications as a result of the disease.

The flu vaccine is now available at clinics

The vaccine against the flu virus has been available in the Unified Health System (SUS) since the end of March. The vaccination campaign against the flu virus usually takes place between April and May, but was brought forward by the Ministry of Health due to the increase in the circulation of respiratory viruses in the country.

In the public system, vaccination is initially restricted to people in the risk group and who are most exposed to the disease, as advised by the National Immunization Program (PNI).

Are they:

Children aged 6 months to under 6 years (5 years, 11 months and 29 days);

Pregnant women;

Postpartum women (women who gave birth in the last 45 days);

Individuals aged 60 or over;

Indigenous peoples and traditional quilombola communities;

Homeless population;

People with permanent disabilities;

Patients with chronic diseases;

Immunosuppressed;

Health workers;

Teachers from basic to higher education;

Security and rescue forces professionals;

Armed Forces employees;

Truck drivers;

Public road transport workers;

Port workers;

Population deprived of liberty;

Prison system employees;

Adolescents and young people aged 12 to 21 under socio-educational measures.

In the private system, the scenario is different. In clinics or pharmacies, it is possible to purchase the vaccine even if you are outside these groups.