Are you up to date with your vaccinations?

On National Immunization Day -6/9-, we want to draw your attention to a public health topic: the importance of vaccination for your protection and the protection of everyone around you.

Vaccines are considered major innovations in medicine, as they have played a crucial role in the near eradication or complete eradication of many serious and contagious diseases. One notable example is smallpox, one of the deadliest diseases in history, which has been eradicated globally thanks to vaccination efforts. More recently, with covid-19, vaccines have also played a key role in helping to reduce the circulation of the virus and contain the evolution of the pandemic.

Scenario Brazil In Brazil, the National Immunization Program -PNI- part of the Ministry of Health, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023 and continues to be acknowledged as one of the best in the world. However, in recent years, it has faced challenges in engaging the population.

In 2021 the country’s vaccination coverage for the general population stood at just 60%, significantly heightening the public health risk, including the resurgence of diseases previously considered eradicated, such as polio and measles.

Dr. Antonio Eduardo Amorim da Motta, a medical partner at Horiens, strongly emphasizes that getting vaccinated is always the best choice. “Vaccines save lives and are mostly available free of charge to the population. Should you have any doubts, talk to a healthcare professional, but never hesitate to get vaccinated,” concludes Dr. Antonio Eduardo Amorim Da Motta, a medical partner at Horiens.

Dr. Denize Cavalcante Lopes, responsible for Health Support at the OEC, points out that having adverse reactions is a natural process. “Vaccines are safe and transient adverse reactions are expected. People with allergies may experience more reactions, which is why we recommend seeking medical guidance before receiving vaccines,” explains Dr. Denize.

She also emphasizes the importance of being cautious with information in the era of fake news. “It is important to be critical, check sources, and consult with your doctor before believing everything you read on social media.” Keep the vaccination schedule up to date. This applies not only to children, but to all age groups,” she points out.

Here are 5 curious facts and useful information about vaccines:

How vaccines work in our body

By introducing the causative agent of the disease (either attenuated or inactivated) or substances produced by these agents into a person’s body, vaccines stimulate the production of antibodies and memory cells by the immune system. For that reason it’s normal to experience transient side effects such as pain at the injection site, body aches, headaches, and fever.

Smallpox and the emergence of vaccines

The smallpox vaccine marked the emergence of vaccines, as it was in the search for a solution to protect people and contain the disease that it was developed, as we know it today, by the Englishman Edward Jenner in the 18th century. Long before that, in the 10th century, the first recorded concepts of immunization emerged, also motivated by the fight against the dreaded smallpox.

Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus and known to cause skin lesions that can lead to death. The disease was responsible for epidemics and pandemics over centuries, but was considered eradicated in 1980, thanks to the extent of vaccination against the disease in the world.

Vaccines for the different stages of life

In the National Immunization Plan (PNI), of the Ministry of Health, vaccines are offered free of charge through the Unified Health System (SUS) and cover a significant portion of the diseases that are preventable through immunization. The National Vaccination Schedule contains the recommendations of the National Immunization Program (PNI) for children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and pregnant women.

There are also the vaccination recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Immunization (SBIM), which are even more extensive and are available in the private network. The Vaccination Schedule of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIM) also contains specific recommendations for different groups.

Vaccine safety

All vaccines, before being approved, undergo rigorous testing and are monitored even after the start of their use by the population. The quality control performed by the producing laboratory follows standardized criteria established by the WHO. In Brazil, ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency) reviews, approves and regulates the marketing and use of vaccines throughout the country.

HPV Vaccine

The vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is included in the National Vaccination Schedule for girls and boys aged 9 to 14 years. Immunosuppressed individuals, those undergoing cancer treatment, and transplant recipients can also receive the vaccine free of charge at public health clinics. In the private network, the vaccine is more widely available, including girls and women from 9 to 45, and boys and men from 9 to 26.

Don’t hesitate, get vaccinated. Share this information with your family and friends!