The Immunization Department of the Petrópolis Health Department is implementing important changes in the city’s vaccination rooms to improve the service provided to residents. As of October 31, the administration of the MMR vaccine will be centralized in five strategic units: Public Health Centre, Itamaraty Health Centre, UBS Quitandinha, UBS Itaipava and PSF Posse.
This measure, according to Health Minister Marcos Corvelo, is necessary due to the scenario of violations and the shortage of some immunological biological materials, as reported by the State Department of Health, which is responsible for distributing the vaccines sent by the Ministry of Health.
“We were informed this month by the Ministry of Health of the State of Rio de Janeiro (SES-RJ) that the situation of shortage and scarcity of some vital immunological preparations, by the Ministry of Health (MS), continues and with shipment data through additional batches” over the months, But it doesn’t happen,” explains Marcos Corvelo
The SES also warned, according to the head of the Immunization Division, Theaine Varela, of the difficulty of monthly distribution of routine and pregnancy vaccines. They explained that in addition to receiving immune medications with a short shelf life and presenting them in multi-dose vials, which makes distributing them to all vaccine rooms impossible, there has been a delay in sending the monthly routine by the Ministry of Health since September. “When the supply of vaccines for DTP, Hepatitis A, HPV, Triviral – Fiocruz and Chickenpox was suspended.”
According to Health Minister Marcos Corvelo, the change aims to improve vaccine supply. He explained: “We are working to improve access to immunization in Petropolis, and by concentrating vaccines in five strategic locations, we are avoiding wasting doses because the vial of this vaccine is equipped with 10 doses and once opened, it is valid for 8 hours.” .
However, it is important to note that the stock of some vaccines is critical in the municipality. “At the moment, we do not have any stock of the DTP and Varicella vaccines, and the stock of the hepatitis A vaccine is running out. We still have vaccines against HPV and MMR, but it is important for the population to be aware that these stocks may run out soon as well,” he points out. Varela.
The next shipment of routine vaccines is scheduled to be sent to the municipality on November 14, but the exact volume has not yet been determined. Therefore, the Petropolis Immunization Department asks residents to be careful and understanding during this period of supply challenges. “It is important, regardless of this critical period, that residents continue to attend the vaccination rooms to learn about the specific vaccination schedules for each age and need for vaccination. If the vaccine is not available at that time, the specialists in the room are trained to register to wait. Once the vaccine is issued By the Ministry of Health and delivered by the State Secretariat, the municipal vaccination teams will communicate to report that supplies have returned to normal.
The most important change is the centralization of MMR vaccine supply into five vaccination rooms, which comes into effect from this week. Marcos Corvelo emphasized that “these changes are temporary and aim to improve service and ensure the availability of vaccines for those who need them most.”
“The Petrópolis Immunization Department is committed to ensuring that the population has continuous access to vaccines, and all measures are being taken to minimize the effects during this period of low stocks,” Corvelo concludes.
