The Ministry of Health has identified shots against influenza, COVID-19, tetanus, hepatitis A and rabies as a priority

The Ministry of Health has set out a series of guidelines on vaccination schedules in shelters in Rio Grande do Sul and the volume recommends prioritizing doses against influenza, COVID-19, tetanus, hepatitis A and rabies. In a memorandum, the Ministry stressed the need to implement measures on a priority and temporary basis due to the state of emergency resulting from floods in the state.

“The fortification tools were selected after a detailed technical analysis that seeks, above all, to protect people who have been in contact with flood waters, as well as professionals, rescuers and volunteers who support rescue and assistance work in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The focus is on minimizing “The risks of vaccine-preventable diseases.”

COVID-19 and influenza

In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination was open to all people with an incomplete vaccination schedule. Vaccines containing a tetanus component should be reserved, above all, for search and rescue teams and infected victims. “Anyone who is sheltered will be vaccinated in the shelter itself. Any person who is homeless, that is, in the home of relatives or other people, should look for a health unit to get vaccinated.

“The influenza vaccination strategy should include first responders (specialists and volunteers), who can be vaccinated at strategic relief points for flood victims, field hospitals, as well as municipal health units. The general population (displaced and affected) should seek out health facilities for vaccination.

Tetanus, hepatitis A, and rabies

For immunizers containing a tetanus component, pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis/hepatitis B/Haemophilus influenzae b), DTP (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis), dual vaccines for adults – dT (diphtheria/tetanus) and dTpa ( Diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough [acelular]), can be used in accordance with the recommendations of the National Immunization Program (PNI).

The target audience should include first responders, people rescued from injuries, protected pregnant women (from 20 weeks onwards) and postpartum women up to 45 days postpartum (if not vaccinated during pregnancy). The group should receive a tetanus booster shot if they have not been vaccinated against tetanus in the past five years or when it is not possible to verify their vaccination record.

In the case of hepatitis A vaccination, the target audience is children aged 1 to 4 years, as well as people with special clinical conditions and pregnant women in shelters.

Rabies vaccine is prescribed to people who are at constant risk of exposure to the virus during occupational activities, such as veterinarians and other professionals who constantly work at risk of exposure.

Record doses applied

If it is impossible to register in the information system, the guideline is to use simplified data collection (CDS). This system is recommended for healthcare institutions that do not have Internet access or sufficient computers for immunization specialists. “The Ministry of Health stresses that it is necessary for the municipality to continuously and objectively disclose the operating units that are carrying out immunization activities.” With information from Agência Brasil