The Ministry of Health informs all residents of Rio Grande do Sul that there is no shortage of vaccines and medicines in the state.
Since May 5, more than 300,000 doses of vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, pertussis, meningitis, rotavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies and animal bites have been sent to Rio Grande do Sul state.
In addition, another 926,000 doses were already scheduled for routine delivery to Rio Grande do Sul. Therefore, the state still has no records of any vaccine shortages. The same is true for medications, such as insulin, that were sent and restocked in the state.
This is explained by the Director of the National Immunization Program at the Ministry of Health, Eder Cati. “We are doing our best to replace the stock lost due to the floods; not only the vaccines, but also the cold chain to store them.
The Ministry of Health also stressed the importance of vaccination against influenza, Covid-19, tetanus and hepatitis. Diseases are common during disasters like the one residents are facing. The federal government has maintained stocks, and the state Ministry of Health is distributing vaccines to health units that were not affected by the rains, and to emergency care points and shelters.
Director of the Public Health Emergency Department at the Ministry of Health, Marcio Garcia, stressed the need to increase care even for non-homeless populations. “Respiratory diseases are worse in closed environments and with a larger number of people. Even those who are at home can get sick. But we are paying special attention to those in shelters.
The importance of the tetanus vaccine
It is worth noting that the pentavalent vaccines – DTP and dT – protect against tetanus, which is considered a serious disease. The tetanus vaccine is given in childhood, but requires booster doses throughout life.
The Ministry of Health recommends giving the tetanus vaccination in cases of injuries, skin wounds, contact of mucous membranes with dirt, dust, animal or human feces. Due to climate disasters, it is important to boost the tetanus dose in people who have been in contact with debris and debris to prevent tetanus infection.
