Find out why 15-month-old babies account for the largest portion of delays in the vaccination schedule in Campinas | Campinas and Region

Among the factors that favor this scenario is a historical problem of “break in routine”in which after an intense application of immunizations until the 1st year of life, parents or guardians may understand that the basic scheme is complete and do not pay attention to the importance of following the calendar – check out the scheme provided for by the National Immunization Program (PNI).

Expected doses at 15 months

• Adsorbed vaccine Diphtheria, Tetanus and pertussis (DTP) (1st reinforcement)
  Diseases avoided: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough
• Polio vaccine 1 and 3 (attenuated) – (VOPb) (1st booster)
  Diseases avoided: Polio
• Hepatitis A adsorbed vaccine (HA – inactivated) (1 dose)
  Diseases avoided: Hepatitis A
• Tetra viral vaccine (1 dose)
  Diseases avoided: Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chickenpox

Furthermore, since last year, another element has entered this equation, amplifying the problem: the lack of doses against hepatitis A and especially varicella (chickenpox)applied in this age group.

“The greatest defense is in this range of 15 months, exactly in the period of first boosters, after a period in which parents attend vaccination rooms almost monthly, there is this interval from 12 to 15 months, and historically, the more spaced returns, but there is this difficulty in adherence. Many understand that the basic scheme was complete and there is no need to follow it”, assesses Chaúla Vizelli, coordinator of the Immunization Program in Campinas.

The professional, however, highlights that since last year the lack of doses sent by the Ministry of Healthas problem in the chickenpox vaccine distribution chainimpacted the scenario even more, as many parents they sought positions more than once, and when they refused, they stopped returning.

“There is this problem, and a large part of these children with an incomplete regimen is due to this situation. Vaccines against chickenpox and hepatitis A were in short supply, and this had a huge impact. But now is an opportune moment, and we ask that the population look for doses”, he highlights.

Chaúla points out that although the distribution has not yet completely normalized and the quantity is not adequate, currently doses are available at health centers in the cityand can assist children with deficits in the vaccination schedule.

To the g1the Ministry of Health confirmed that the laboratory responsible for producing the chickenpox vaccine has faced technical problems that have affected the regularity of distribution, but that this “will be fully reestablished in the 2nd half of 2024”.

“To resolve this issue, the Ministry of Health is making emergency purchases with other national and international suppliers. Still, the manufacturing and delivery capacity of the laboratories does not meet the full needs of the National Immunization Program (PNI). Therefore, The available strategic stock is being distributed in a restricted manner to meet the routine until full supply is reestablished,” he said in a note.

The Campinas Health Department and Unicamp signed a partnership to update the vaccination schedule for 35 thousand children between 0 and 5 years old who are late in applying a dose of the vaccination schedule. This amount represents 40% of all children in this age group in the metropolis.

Teams from the Unicamp pediatrics department are assisting in active search workmaking contact with parents or guardians to invite them to vaccinate their children.

In parallel, the Unicamp students will analyze the reasons why children stopped receiving doses when they should be applied.

“This is yet another strategy that aims to rescue children who may be without the appropriate vaccines for their age group and, therefore, susceptible to diseases that could be avoided”, highlights Chaúla.

The active search is already carried out by teams from all health centers, but the involvement of Unicamp teams will, in the coordinator’s assessment, “contribute to progress in contacts with those responsible.”

According to the city hall, the mobilization begins in the Taquaral Health Center (CS) region, but the expectation is that all areas of the city will be covered. Residents who have doubts about connecting teams can call the 156 for clarification.