The Ministry of Health expands the age group for the dengue vaccine with doses about to expire | health

The Ministry of Health has allowed states and municipalities to expand the target audience for the dengue vaccination campaign. This measure will apply to sites, many of which expire on June 30 and July 31.

The volume recommended that Local governments preferentially allow these doses to be administered to children and adolescents From 6 to 16 years. Currently, the vaccination campaign is targeting people From 10 to 14 years.

If the strategy does not allow the doses to be “used up” in a timely manner, health departments will be able to launch campaigns to vaccinate people with the disease. From 4 to 59 years – The age recommended by the manufacturer of the vaccine used in the Unified Health System (SUS).

The Ministry of Health did not report the number of doses available in June and July. It also did not mention which states and municipalities have lots nearing completion.

“This is a temporary and exceptional strategy, applicable only to vaccines that expire on June 30 and July 31, 2024,” said a technical note published by the ministry last Friday (21).

In total, the ministry estimates that Brazil will receive 6.5 million doses of dengue vaccines this year.

Depending on the folder, even with temporary expansion, the Local governments must adopt strategies to ensure the implementation of the second dose of the Codinga vaccine.

The dengue vaccine was developed by the Japanese laboratory Takeda Pharma. The registration was approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) in March 2023.

The vaccine contains live attenuated dengue viruses. Therefore, it stimulates immune responses against the four serotypes of dengue virus.

Hey The fortifier is applied in a two-dose dosage schedulewith a three-month interval between applications.

According to Anfisa, Qdenga is recommended for people ages 4 to 60 yearss. No studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine in people over 60 years of age.

Furthermore, both those who have already had dengue fever and those who have never had it can be vaccinated with the Qdenga vaccine. This is the first vaccine to be released in the country for people who have not previously come into contact with the dengue virus.

However, anyone with the following conditions cannot be immunized with the vaccine:

• Allergy to any of the ingredients
• Compromised immune system
• Immunosuppression
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women