Flu vaccine is expanded to increase immune barrier | CITIES

The flu vaccination campaign began across the state on March 11 and, to date, more than 800,000 doses have been administered to people in the target audience. The State’s objective, however, is to vaccinate more than three million people in the target audience by May 31st. In other words, to date, only 29% of the priority audience has been reached. To increase the immunological barrier, the application of the vaccine was expanded for the general public starting this Monday, 29th, in all municipalities in Ceará. You can get vaccinated any individuals from six months of age.

Currently, Ceará is the sixth state in the country in the number of vaccine applications during the current campaign and the first in the Northeast, according to the LocalizaSUS platform, from the Ministry of Health (MS).

“We have another month (of the campaign) ahead of us and we really need to increase this immunological barrier. There is transmission of the virus, especially the influenza A group, in practically every state”, stated the executive secretary of Health Surveillance, Antônio Lima Neto (Tanta), from the Ceará Health Department (Sesa). “We need, In fact, expanding this vaccination more quickly to offer protection is faster for all groups”, he added.

In Fortaleza, since the beginning of the campaign, until the count carried out last Thursday, the 29th, around 165,450 doses were applied, around 21% of the target. The Célio Brasil Health Center, in the Cais do Porto neighborhood, registered intense movement during the morning, not only from the usual elderly and those responsible for babies and children, but also the adult public was present in large numbers, now benefiting from the expansion of the campaign.

With the high demand for the vaccine, the management of the Célio Brasil station had to use an extra room in the unit to prioritize the application of the flu vaccine. Tita Tavares, 48, known for being a four-time Brazilian surfing champion, was one of the residents of the neighborhood who went through the equipment to guarantee the vaccine.

She says that, even though she was afraid of needles, fear did not stop her from prioritizing her health. “I’ve never been afraid of a ‘big wave’, but when it comes to getting vaccinated, I’m nervous. But we face fear if we want to take care of our health”, she says, laughing. The athlete explains that she is an ambassador for the Juventude na Onda project, which serves almost a thousand children and young people annually. “We are always in contact with many students, so it is important for us to take precautions, to be well for ourselves and for them too”, she points out.

The athlete says she uses her influence in sport to encourage other people, especially young people, to take care of their health. “We are always giving lectures, in schools, for example, and we always touch on the subject of looking for health centers. It’s important to get vaccinated, not just for the flu, but we also have dengue fever, which really needs our attention”, reports Tita.

FORTALEZA, CEARÁ, BRAZIL, 04-29-2024: Flu vaccine for all audiences, the expansion of the campaign aims to expand vaccination coverage during this seasonal period, when respiratory infections tend to increase at the DR Célio Brasil Post in Cais do Porto. (Photo: Samuel Setubal/ O Povo)
Credit: Samuel Setubal

FORTALEZA, CEARÁ, BRAZIL, 04-29-2024: Flu vaccine for all audiences, the expansion of the campaign aims to expand vaccination coverage during this seasonal period, when respiratory infections tend to increase at the DR Célio Brasil Post in Cais do Porto. (Photo: Samuel Setubal/ O Povo)
Credit: Samuel Setubal

FORTALEZA, CEARÁ, BRAZIL, 04-29-2024: Flu vaccine for all audiences, the expansion of the campaign aims to expand vaccination coverage during this seasonal period, when respiratory infections tend to increase at the DR Célio Brasil Post in Cais do Porto. (Photo: Samuel Setubal/ O Povo)
Credit: Samuel Setubal

FORTALEZA, CEARÁ, BRAZIL, 04-29-2024: Flu vaccine for all audiences, the expansion of the campaign aims to expand vaccination coverage during this seasonal period, when respiratory infections tend to increase at the DR Célio Brasil Post in Cais do Porto. (Photo: Samuel Setubal/ O Povo)
Credit: Samuel Setubal

Arriving at the health unit with her family, Priscila Freitas, 33, took her two-year-old son Aslan to get vaccinated and took the opportunity to also take a dose of the influenza vaccine.

“It is important that we bring our children to be vaccinated, so that they do not develop more serious consequences, but also to avoid overcrowding in hospitals. Adults must also be vaccinated so as not to infect other people”, says the mother.

To access immunization, the user must present an official document with photo and proof of residence. According to the Deputy Secretary of Health of Fortaleza, Carmem Cavalcante, the aim of expanding flu vaccination to the entire population is to increase vaccination coverage, especially in the current rainy season in the State.

“Now we will apply to the general public, but we reinforce that those who are part of the priority public, and who have not yet been vaccinated, can look for one of the 118 health centers in Fortaleza”, explains the representative.

According to Carmem Cavalcante, the target audience is made up of people who are more vulnerable to contracting the disease and who are at greater risk of developing complications. “These include seniors aged 60 and over; children up to six years old; people with comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, disabilities, chronic and autoimmune diseases. Pregnant and postpartum women are also included,” he explains.

According to the secretary, the operation of health centers in Fortaleza for the administration of vaccines in this second phase of the campaign will remain the same: from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm during the week.

On weekends and holidays, the units that continue to operate are announced in advance by the City Hall, operating from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

In health centers in other municipalities in Ceará, the times for administering vaccines vary according to local administrations.

The Municipal Health Department (SMS) informed that the influenza vaccine can be used within seven days after opening each vial, which contains 10 doses.

“In order to mitigate losses, SMS carries out monitoring from the date and time of opening the vials, speeding up the application of the immunizing agent, whether at vaccination sites or in Long-Term Care Institutions for the Elderly (ILPI)”, it says the note.

The Influenza vaccines received by the Municipality through the Ministry of Health are valid until 2025.

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