Photo: Tania Rigo/Agence Brasil
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The state of Tocantins has begun vaccination against COVID-19 with the new vaccine from the manufacturer Moderna. The monovalent vaccine protects against the XBB strain – which is currently more widespread, according to the Ministry of Health. The state distributed more than twenty thousand doses to municipalities in Tocantins. The vaccine will be administered as a booster dose for priority groups.
Diandra Sena is the Director of Immunization at the Tocantins Health Department. She tells us about the importance of population participation in this campaign.
“The expectation with this vaccine is that immunization measures will continue in the province, so that the state will remain free of deaths and hospitalizations due to this condition.”
The National Vaccination Movement, a campaign led by the Ministry of Health, has entered a new phase and intends to vaccinate at least seventy million people against Covid-19. In the first half of May, Brazil received twelve and a half million doses that protect against the XBB variant. This payment is distributed to all union units, which have the autonomy to start applying immediately.
Infectious disease specialist Adelino de Mello Freire Jr. confirms that vaccines are updated according to new strains of circulating viruses, just as happens with the influenza vaccine annually. Therefore, groups most at risk of contracting the disease must be aware of their vaccination schedules to avoid contracting the disease.
“This new vaccine arriving is a necessary update, because the virus has evolved and previous vaccines no longer provide effective protection. So the new vaccine coming is essential for us to protect ourselves more actively against the virus circulating today.”
As winter approaches and temperatures drop in some areas of the country, the incidence of respiratory diseases, as well as influenza-like syndromes, increases. Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive measures – in addition to the vaccine – such as wearing a mask if the disease is suspected, covering the face when sneezing, and avoiding closed places. These measures can help limit the spread of Covid.
Find a basic health unit, take your booklet and get vaccinated against COVID-19.
For more information access: www.gov.br/saude.
