By Andrea Hargraves 
The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) in Public Health of the Secretary of State for Health (Sesa) held its first meeting this year Thursday (06) in a virtual manner to discuss issues and strategies for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19, increased cases of H3N2 influenza and other issues affecting public health.
Coordinated by Sesa’s Director of Attention and Health Monitoring, Maria Goretti David Lopez, the meeting sought to align recommendations for action based on reports that brought in data on the pandemic, influenza, future expectations, and related issues.
“This meeting is of paramount importance for us to align our actions and strengthen strategies to efficiently deal not only with the pandemic, but with all of the agendas emerging at the beginning of this year,” Goretti noted.
Among the figures presented, the high rate of vaccination against Covid-19 in Paraná was highlighted. According to Sesa’s immunization coordinator, Vera Rita da Maya, this reflects the country’s right commitment to fighting the epidemic.
“The vaccination against Covid-19 provides encouraging numbers. When we compare the number of doses sent to the municipalities, it can be seen that 96% of the vaccination coverage of the general population with the first dose and 84% with the second dose. In addition, we also believe that with the update of data from the municipalities, we should We reach about 90% of immunizations in the state.
Declining population adherence to influenza vaccination was also on the agenda. With a lower rate than other years, indications reveal the importance of a collective effort to expand vaccination coverage rates.
“Overall, the immunization figures show a clear decrease compared to previous years. Even within the national average, Paraná, in 2021, vaccinated an average of 70% of the population. Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize that the vaccine is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. All Health is provided Regionals and their use remains a priority.In addition, we have decentralized 380,000 units of Tamiflu, the therapeutic resource with the greatest impact in reducing the severity of influenza.
Another case addressed was an increase in influenza cases caused by the H3N2 virus. According to data released by CISA Thursday (6), the state has 375 confirmed and four deaths due to the disease, which is a type of influenza A (H3) virus. The rise in cases has alarmed residents, prompting Sesa to issue an alert regarding the spread of the virus in Paraná. For Goretti, dissemination of information is essential to combating the spread of influenza.
This note came from the deliberations of the Bilateral Committee of Directors (CIB/PR), which we have converted into an alert document to facilitate access and dissemination to the population. In addition to health services guidelines, it also contains valuable information for the population, such as precautions against the virus. Therefore, I ask the leaders present here to help us spread this message.”
The Minister of State for Health, Beto Brito, stressed the importance of the Council of Europe meeting to outline the planning of health actions across the state.
“It is relevant information that guides the process and strategies for health, with a focus on protecting all people from Parana. Since its activation in 2020, the performance of the Center of Excellence has been fundamental not only in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in the occurrence of dengue and yellow fever,” he said. And now the flu.