Rio fails to meet flu vaccination target.

Cristina Índio do Brasil - Reporter for Agência Brasil

The Rio de Janeiro State Health Department ended the vaccination campaign this Friday (5), but in the capital city it continues until the 12th. Data from the municipality indicate that until Wednesday (3), 78,5% of the target population were immunized: the elderly, pregnant women, children from 6 months to 4 years old, women in the period up to 45 days after childbirth, chronically ill people and health professionals. According to the agency, the percentage came close to the target of 80%, which means about 1,2 million people, even so the department decided to continue the campaign with the vaccine available in family clinics and municipal health centers, from 8 am to 17 pm.

According to the Undersecretary of Health Surveillance, Alexandre Chieppe, the survey of how many people have been immunized in the state will only be completed next week. "There is still a delay in information. Some municipalities are having difficulty entering the data quickly. So, we will have a more detailed overview of the campaign next week, when all the information will be entered and we will be able to make a detailed assessment of each municipality," he told Agência Brasil.

Chieppe reported that so far the percentage reached in the state is 70%, and the guidance to municipalities that have not reached the established goal is to continue with the campaign. “Despite the campaign ending at the state level, some municipalities will continue with vaccination. The decision not to expand the campaign statewide, encompassing all 92 municipalities, is because some have already reached the goal, but the recommendation is that those that still have low coverage maintain vaccination. We expect that some municipalities will still need one or two weeks to reach the goal,” he added.

Alexandre Chieppe reported that the region with the worst adherence to the campaign is the so-called metropolitan region 2, which includes the municipalities of São Gonçalo – which has the lowest vaccination coverage –, Niterói, Rio Bonito, and Tanguá. "In a way, the variation between the regions isn't very large, but metropolitan region 2 currently only has 61% coverage," he revealed.

The undersecretary said that needing to spend the day away from home, for work for example, is not a reason not to seek vaccination, because it is possible to get the vaccine at health centers or family clinics in other neighborhoods and even cities. “People can get vaccinated anywhere, by informing their place of residence; they can get vaccinated near their workplace or where they live. With more than 1.500 vaccination sites, this certainly wasn't the main reason,” he analyzed.

The intention of health authorities in conducting the vaccination campaign is to reduce mortality, complications, and hospitalizations caused by influenza virus infections. According to studies, vaccination can reduce hospitalizations due to pneumonia by up to 45% and overall mortality by between 39% and 75%.

According to the Rio de Janeiro municipal health department, influenza transmission occurs through contact with respiratory secretions expelled by an infected person when talking, coughing, or sneezing. It can also occur through contaminated hands and objects when they come into contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, or nose. To avoid contagion, in addition to vaccination, which is a preventative measure, health authorities recommend simple precautions such as washing hands several times a day, covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding touching the face, and not sharing personal items. If flu-like symptoms appear, the municipal health department advises the public to seek medical attention – even those who have been vaccinated.