The national vaccination campaign against influenza starts on Monday, April 7, 2025, aiming to immunize 90% of priority groups across Brazil. This year's campaign is particularly crucial as it seeks to protect vulnerable populations from severe complications associated with the influenza virus.
According to the Ministry of Health, the campaign targets several priority groups, including children aged 6 months to under 6 years, the elderly, and pregnant women. Additionally, it extends to healthcare workers, teachers, indigenous peoples, the homeless, and various professionals in security and transportation sectors. In total, over 73.6 million doses of the influenza vaccine have been procured for distribution nationwide.
In the first semester, 67.6 million doses are set to be allocated to the South, Southeast, Central-West, and Northeast regions, with 5.9 million doses earmarked for the North in the second semester, aligning with the region's winter season when viral circulation is typically higher.
The influenza vaccine for 2025 will protect against three strains: H1N1, H3N2, and B. The Ministry highlights that the vaccine can prevent between 60% and 70% of severe cases and deaths related to the disease, making it a vital tool in public health.
Each year, the vaccine must be reapplied as the influenza virus mutates frequently, and immunity diminishes over time. The Ministry of Health has encouraged the population to participate actively in this campaign, emphasizing that vaccination is not only a personal safeguard but also a collective responsibility.
In 2024, vaccine coverage among priority groups was reported at 48.89% in the North and 55.19% in other regions, indicating a need for improved outreach and education regarding the importance of vaccination. The Ministry has reiterated, "Vaccinating is an act of personal and collective care. The vaccines are safe, effective, and free."
In Santa Catarina, the vaccination campaign is also set to begin on April 7, 2025, with a specific focus on 3.3 million individuals, including seniors over 60, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions. The goal remains to immunize at least 90% of these groups.
A state mobilization day for vaccination is scheduled for May 10, 2025, further enhancing community engagement in the immunization effort. The state health secretary, Diogo Demarchi Silva, has urged residents to get vaccinated to avoid overwhelming hospitals during the upcoming respiratory illness season.
The vaccine in Santa Catarina will also contain strains of H1N1, H3N2, and B, and it is noted that children receiving the vaccine for the first time will require two doses, spaced 30 days apart. The vaccine's protective effects typically take two to three weeks post-administration to fully manifest.
In 2024, Santa Catarina recorded 1,693 cases of influenza, predominantly due to the H1N1 strain, with 128 fatalities attributed to the virus. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of the current vaccination campaign.
The Ministry of Health has made it clear that the influenza vaccine is contraindicated for children under six months and individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to previous doses. However, it is generally safe and can be administered alongside other routine vaccinations.
As the campaign unfolds, health officials are hopeful that increased awareness and participation will lead to higher vaccination rates, ultimately protecting millions of Brazilians from the potentially severe impacts of influenza.
