Data from a new epidemiological bulletin from the Ministry of Health indicate that the country already has 3,558 cases of influenza, with 608 cases of influenza
deaths – the equivalent of more than double the same period last year. The document records the attendance records of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome until June 23, last Saturday.
Of these, about 60% of cases were caused by the H1N1 virus, a seasonal circulation virus, but indicated as major
For comparison, in the same period of 2017, there were 1,459 case of influenza, with 237 deaths – which represents an increase in 2018 of 143%. At the time, the predominant virus was H3N2, a subtype that can also cause severe cases, but especially in the elderly, as reported by infectious disease specialist Marcos Boulos. Earlier this month, the country recorded 2,315 cases of influenza, with 274 deaths.
Of the deaths this year, 74% were patients with at least one risk factor for developing complications of the disease, such as the elderly (236 deaths), people with cardiovascular disease (143 deaths) and the diabetes (109 cases).
The number of deaths of children under five also increased. Only until last week were 46 cases, three times that of the same period last year. Despite the increase, the total is still lower than in 2016, when there were 12,174 cases of influenza and 2,220 deaths throughout the year – the highest number since the 2009 pandemic Already the records until June 2016, the same period
Immunization
Amid this increase in cases of influenza, the vaccination campaign against the disease, which began at the end of April, does not have any effect. did not reach the target set by the Ministry of Health
The goal was to vaccinate up to 90% of the target population, consisting of pregnant women, recently delivered women, people elderly, children from six months to less than five years old, health workers, teachers, natives and persons deprived of their liberty. Until this Monday, however, only 86% of this audience had been vaccinated, which indicates that 6.8 million people have not taken the vaccine.
The group with the lowest vaccination rate is pregnant women and children, with immunization coverage of 73.2% and 73.4% of the total, respectively. Teachers (100.5%) and puerperals (98.4%) are the sectors with the highest coverage. Even with low rates, the campaign ended Friday. Health posts with a stock of available vaccines may still be able to offer vaccination.
The target audience has however been expanded. Since last Monday, the vaccine can also be offered to children aged five to nine and adults aged 50 to 59.
With the downward vaccination, the Minister of Health, Gilberto Occhi, had already pointed out in the note before the end of the campaign that "it is essential that parents take their children to health posts for receive the vaccine and avoid the complications of the virus. It's a way to protect children and the rest of the population. "(Folhapress)
• Ask Your Questions About the Flu Vaccine
Who Should Take the Vaccine?
Ideally, anyone over six months of age should take the vaccine, but
Children aged 6 months to 5 years, elderly, teachers and health professionals, pregnant women, women at increased risk of developing complications of the disease
prisoners, prisoners, indigenous and persons with chronic diseases or particular clinical conditions (respiratory, cardiac, renal, hepatic, neurological, diabetic, obese, transplanted)
In the private network, the price of the dose varies between $ 80 and $ 160. In the public network, the campaign ended, although it only reached 86% of the target audience (the goal was 90%) .As the request was low, health posts that have s doses in stock can still offer immunization
Who is entitled to the vaccine in the public network?
The group at risk and since Monday, children from five to nine years and adults from 50 to 59 years.
Who can not take the vaccine?
Infants less than 6 months of age who have had anaphylactic reactions in previous applications. Who has Guillain-Barré syndrome or severe allergic reactions to eggs should also be careful
How long does it take for the vaccine to take effect?
From 2 to 4 weeks. It protects for 6 to 12 months