Did you know that there were changes in the National Vaccination Calendar of the Ministry of Health? The recommendations for Hepatitis A, Adult dTpa, Tetra Viral and Tetra Viral were changed, in addition to the vaccines released at the end of last year: HPV and Meningococcal C. Modifications occur frequently, always taking into account studies and scientific research that point out the need for Include new groups and expand the supply of vaccines.
According to the General Coordination of the National Program of Immunizations, “this expansion allows to increase the protection to immunopreventable diseases, according to the groups defined, in addition to raising vaccine coverage, thus reducing the population susceptible to these diseases.”
Today the Ministry of Health offers, through the Unified Health System (SUS), 19 vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which serve all ages. About 300 million doses are offered to fight more than 20 diseases.
Here are the new recommendations for vaccines:
Hepatitis A
- As it was before: A single dose of the vaccine offered for children up to two years old.
- As it is now: The child is recommended to receive a dose at 15 months of age. For those who have missed the opportunity to get vaccinated, they will have the chance to receive this vaccine until they are five years old.
Varicella
- As it was before: A dose between 15 months and two years of age incomplete.
- As it is now: A dose between 15 months of age. For those who have missed the opportunity to get vaccinated, they will have the chance to receive this vaccine until they are five years old. It is important to emphasize that the viral tetanus vaccine can only be taken by children who prove to have received the first dose of triple viral.
Vaccine schedule:
1st dose of viral triplicate;
2nd dose viral tetra (Measles, rubella, mumps and chickenpox) or viral triple (measles, rubella, mumps) + chicken pox
HPV
- As it was before: Vaccine was offered only to girls aged 9 to 13 years, and women with HIV between 9 and 26 years.
- As it is now: In addition to girls and women, the vaccine is also available for boys aged 12 to 13, men living with HIV between 9 and 26 years of age, and immunodepressed (transplanted from solid organs, bone marrow or cancer patients), and Girls up to 14 years old. By 2020, the age of vaccination will be progressively expanded to include children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 13.
Meningococcal C
- As it was before: Two doses of the vaccine were administered to children between three and five months, with a booster for children between 15 months and two incomplete years.
- As it is now: Two doses of the vaccine will be given to children between three and five months, with a booster for infants up to five years incomplete. There is also one more dose for adolescents between 12 and 13 years of age. By 2020, the age will be progressively extended to include children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 13.
Triple Viral (measles, mumps and rubella)
- As it was before: Adults received the second dose up to age 19, or a single dose between 20 and 49 years of age.
- As it is now: The second dose becomes valid until age 29, and the single dose of the vaccine is available for adults between 30 and 49 years.
dTpa Adult (acellular)
- As it was before: The vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis was recommended for pregnant women from the 27th to the 36th week of gestation.
- Como é agora: The vaccine can be taken from the 20th week of gestation. It is important to remember that taking the vaccine during pregnancy, the mother transfers the antibodies to the fetus, preventing it from contracting pertussis. Women who missed the opportunity to receive the vaccine during pregnancy can receive it during the puerperium (up to 45 days postpartum).
RESULTS – With these changes in the National Vaccination Calendar, the expectation is to increase vaccination in childhood, protect against diseases, increase the immunity of adolescents and reduce the occurrence of immunopreventable diseases;
In the amendment for adults, the objectives are: to contribute to reducing the incidence of mumps in young adults, as well as to eliminate rubella and measles in the country; Increase the chance of vaccination during pregnancy and provide protection for babies against pertussis because of the antibodies that are transferred from the mother to the fetus. Vaccination in the puerperium is aimed at rescuing women who missed the opportunity to get vaccinated during pregnancy. However, vaccination in the puerperium should only be done ultimately, as there will be no transfer of antibodies to the child, thus reducing protection for the baby.
RECOMMENDATIONS – The availability of the vaccines follows the recommendations of the National Vaccination Calendar and the vaccination situation found for the child, adolescent, adult and elderly. These people should be evaluated at the vaccination stations so that the vaccination situation found is updated, as recommended by the National Immunization Program. However, it is important to note that some vaccines have a specific age group and priority groups for vaccination, and for product safety or timing recommendations, they can not be made available at times other than those established.