São Paulo: Expansion of meningitis vaccination for educational professionals and adolescents

Voice (02:57 seconds)

The meningitis C vaccination extends to education professionals and adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19, and professionals such as teachers and other public and private education personnel can also be immunized. The campaign will run during the months of June and July of this year. According to the coordination of disease control, through the Epidemiological Surveillance Center, it is assumed in the state’s immunization plan that the Ministry of Health has sent more than 80,000 new doses of vaccine to the state. Data from the Ministry of Health of the State of São Paulo.

Tatiana Lang d’Agostini, Director of the Center for Epidemiological Surveillance (CVE) of the São Paulo State Department of Health, explains the causes of the disease and the importance of being vaccinated.

The São Paulo State Ministry of Health is working to expand meningitis C vaccination for educational professionals and adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19. It is important to remember that the best way to protect yourself is with a vaccine, as meningitis C is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spine and is more common in the colder months. The main signs of symptoms are headache, fever, and a stiff neck. It is also good to remember that vaccination is available according to the basic schedule, for all children under 1 year of age, we also have a meningococcal ACWY vaccine, for children aged 11-12 and also for adolescents aged 13-14 “.

about the disease

Meningitis C is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spine and is more common in the cold season with the advent of winter. Symptoms may present in mild, flu-like cases, with headache, fever, and stiffness in the back of the neck. In more serious cases, malaise, vomiting, discomfort when placing the chin on the chest, and severe pain in the neck may occur. Red spots may appear on the body which are also signs that the infection is spreading rapidly and that the patient needs immediate medical assistance. According to the São Paulo State Ministry of Health, all cases of bacterial meningitis require hospitalization, even with mild symptoms.

Municipalities affected by meningitis:

Between January and March 2023, more than 106,000 doses of the vaccine were administered to children under the age of one year. Vaccination coverage in this population is 81.3%, with the highest coverage in the Provincial Health Departments (DRS) of Sorocaba at 88%, Taupate at 88%, Piracicaba at 87.4%, São José do Rio Preto (87.4%) and Marilia at 87.1%. The lowest level was recorded in DRS Baixada Santista, with 70.6% vaccination coverage.