Anti-flu vaccination campaign kicks off tomorrow across Brazil

Brazil’s National Vaccination Campaign Against the Flu is starting Wednesday (Apr. 10) countrywide. In the first stage, children aged one to six will be prioritized, along with pregnant women and women in the postpartum period (up to 45 days after birth). The choice is said to have been made as a result of the group’s higher vulnerability.

Starting on April 22, the target group of the campaign may receive the dose, including health agents, indigenous people, elders, school teachers, people with co-morbidities and other special clinic conditions, people aged 12–21 who have been imposed socio-educational measures, jail workers, and people deprived of liberty.

Groups were chosen in compliance with recommendations from the World Health Organization. The decision was also based on epidemiological studies on the behavior of respiratory infections, which have the flu virus as the main agent. The goal is to vaccinate at least 90 percent of the eligible group.

Symptoms and prevention

In a note, the Health Ministry reported that there has been a change in two strains of the vaccine, which is why authorities say it is crucial for members of the selected groups to take the vaccine even if they have been immunized previously.

Health authorities recommend anyone showing flu symptoms to avoid leaving their homes during the period of transmission (seven days after symptoms are detected), keep away from crowded places and closed spaces, maintain the air in the environment fresh, and adopt healthy habits, like having a balanced diet and drinking a large amount of fluids.