The State Department of Health (SES-MT) is warning Mato Grosso residents of the importance of the national influenza vaccination campaign. In this first phase of the campaign, seniors aged 60 or over and health professionals are a priority.
It is estimated that in this phase – which began on April 11 – a total of 471,452 people have been vaccinated, including elderly people aged 60 or over and health professionals.
“The state government is investing R$65 million, through the Imuniza Mais MT programme, so that municipal administrations reach the vaccination goals. The amount is divided between prizes and health structuring. For the population so that people are immunized and goals are achieved,” says Assistant Minister for Monitoring and Health Care, Giuliano Milo.
According to data from the Information System of the National Immunization Program (SIPNI), as of Saturday (23.04), about 37,142 people of this priority group have been vaccinated against influenza, which is 7.9% of the expected.
For SES epidemiological monitoring supervisor, Alessandra Cristina de Moraes, the number of vaccinators is still low compared to the target recommended by the Ministry of Health, which is to vaccinate at least 90% of each of the campaign’s target groups.
“It is very important, at this time, that the elderly and health professionals are attentive and seek immunization against influenza, because we are still in a pandemic period, and a properly immunized population creates a barrier to mitigating the influenza virus,” warns Alessandra.
The director also explains that it is OK to apply the influenza vaccine to this target audience in conjunction with the application of the vaccine against Covid-19 and/or other vaccines in the national vaccination calendar. “They just need to be given different needles and syringes and in different places so there is no problem with immunization,” Alessandra instructs.
The first phase of the campaign ends on April 30, with Victory Day for the national campaign.
The second phase of the National Influenza Vaccination Campaign is taking place between May 2 and June 3 and will target children from six months to five years old; teachers; puerperal, pregnant women, persons with comorbidities and permanent disabilities; the original people; Security, rescue and armed forces; mass transit workers and truck drivers; Populations deprived of liberty, adolescents in social and educational measures, and employees of the prison system.
Safe Vaccination
The trend is for munitions to inoculate agile and safe, so that the target audience is reached. For this purpose, the SES recommends that primary health care (PHC) be clarified and organized to provide for extended vaccination time, when possible, in order to increase supply and expand population access to vaccines.
In addition, it is recommended that the Primary Health Care Center reserve, when possible, a specific place for influenza vaccination to be given, so as not to harm other services provided by the health unit and the Covid-19 vaccination campaign. It is also important to identify persons with febrile, respiratory and/or influenza-like illnesses so that vaccination can be deferred until the condition has resolved.
The municipality should also conduct vaccination outside the walls to meet the specificities of indigenous peoples and people with limited mobility.
