Government and medical entities launch manifesto for immunization

Brazilian Societies of Immunization (SBIM), Pediatrics (SBP) and Infectious Diseases (SBI), in partnership with Rotary International and with the support of the National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Ministry Health, manifest to alert the population to the real possibility of return of polio and measles in the country and the importance of keeping vaccination up to date to prevent these diseases and their after-effects. The publication of the manifesto took place in the auditorium of the Institute Emílio Ribas de São Paulo

. The document also invites everyone to participate in the nationwide polio and measles immunization campaign that will take place across the country from 6 to 31 August. Strengthening immunization continues to be the best tool for promoting and maintaining the health of the Brazilian population. "Since the drop in immunization coverage in the country, the Ministry of Health has warned against the risk of returning diseases that no longer circulated in the country, as is the case of measles. is the most effective way to rid the country of diseases already eliminated and eradicated, "says Ministry of Health.

According to the coordinator of the National Immunization Program of the Ministry of Health, Carla Domingues, the protected population is fundamental to keep the country free of vaccine-preventable diseases. "Immunization coverage is heterogeneous in Brazil, which can lead to the formation of pockets of unvaccinated persons, thus allowing the reintroduction of poliovirus and measles. The recent epidemic in the country – in Roraima and Manaus – demonstrates our inadequate immunization coverage and the urgent need to improve these rates, "said Carla.

According to her, the Ministry of Health offers all the recommended vaccines by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the National Immunization Schedule Currently, about 300 million immunobiological doses per year are made available through the public health network throughout the country. There are 19 vaccines to fight more than 20 diseases, in several age groups.

Drop in immunization coverage

An example of a decline in immunization coverage in the country is found in According to the technical director of the Immunization Division of the São Paulo State Department of Health, Helena Sato, until the year 2016, state coverage has achieves the goals of 90 to 95%. "From there, we We saw a drop of 20%. To find out if there really was a fall and what are your reasons, we will investigate in the second half of the year. It is very serious what we observe in the whole country. A decrease in immunization coverage of a wonderful program, which guarantees all children the opportunity to vaccinate against more than 14 diseases. "

According to the President of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases, Sérgio Cimerman, it is not possible to admit diseases such as measles and polio back to the country because they have been eradicated and are preventable. "We are currently facing a measles outbreak, particularly in Roraima, with a number of expressive cases.This is the moment to show the importance of the campaign.Cimermam pointed out that there is a risk of return of all diseases because Brazil is a tropical country and with difficulties in certain situations. "We recently experienced the outbreak of yellow fever, we had the flu and now measles. There is an anti-vaccine campaign that we can not understand why. There is a lot of false news. With technology, people display a lot of conflicting information and this does not make people adequately prepared for prevention. "

The national polio and measles immunization campaign runs from August 6 to 31. On Day 18 of the National Mobilization Day, all children aged 1 year to under 5 must be brought to the clinic. health center even if they were previously vaccinated

Latest data [19659006] Updated data from the Ministry indicate that Brazil has 822 confirmed cases of measles, 519 in Amazonas and 272 in Roraima At the beginning of the month, the record warned that 312 Brazilian municipalities, especially in Bahia, are at risk of an epidemic. [1] [2] [3] polio because of low vaccination coverage.The country has not registered any cases of the disease for 298 years, but the risk of return, according to the federal government, is high because of parents' resistance to vaccinating their children.

Edition: Denise Griesinger