Postado às 08h30 | 24 Mar 2026 | redação Vaccination Campaign Aims to Immunize Over 116,000 People in Mossoró
The flu vaccination campaign will begin next Saturday, March 28, throughout Rio Grande do Norte. The goal is to vaccinate at least 90% of each priority group, representing a total estimated public of 1,424,963 people in the state.
By Edinaldo Moreno / Jornal de Fato
Health officials in the state of Rio Grande do Norte will launch a flu vaccination campaign starting Saturday, March 28, with a goal of immunizing at least 90% of prioritized populations. This effort aims to protect an estimated 1,424,963 residents across the state, including approximately 116,595 people in Mossoró.
The State Department of Public Health (Sesap) announced that the campaign will kick off with a “Day D” of mobilization, expanding hours at health posts to improve access for residents. The vaccination drive will run from March 28 to May 30, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable groups and essential service workers. Vaccination is a key public health strategy to reduce the severity of flu seasons and prevent serious complications.
Eligible recipients include children aged 6 months to under 6 years, pregnant individuals, and seniors aged 60 and older. Additional priority groups include postpartum individuals, Indigenous and Quilombola communities, people experiencing homelessness, healthcare workers, teachers (basic and higher education), members of security, rescue, and armed forces, people with permanent disabilities, truck drivers, port workers, postal workers, public transportation workers, incarcerated individuals, correctional facility staff, and youth under socio-educational measures (ages 12-21). The campaign also extends to individuals with chronic non-transmissible diseases and other specific medical conditions, regardless of age.
According to Sesap, the largest number of anticipated vaccinations in the Capital of the West will be among people over the age of 60, with over 42,000 individuals eligible. This is followed by people with comorbidities (over 20,000), children aged 6 months to 6 years (estimated 17,600), healthcare workers, and people with disabilities, with each group anticipating over 14,000 vaccinated. Just over 2,290 pregnant individuals are also expected to receive the vaccine.
Sesap emphasizes that the vaccine is safe and considered the most effective strategy for preventing the flu. It is designed to build immunity during peak virus circulation, reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
DATA
As of 2026, the Dr. Almino Fernandes Central Laboratory (Lacen) has confirmed 154 cases of Influenza A and B, with two deaths recorded. Currently, 27 people are hospitalized in the public health network with severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the influenza virus.
TARGET POPULATION IN MOSSORÓ: 116,595
CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 6 YEARS: 17,659
SENIORS 60+: 42,106
PREGNANT INDIVIDUALS: 2,290
HEALTHCARE WORKERS: 14,649
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: 14,164
PEOPLE WITH COMORBIDITIES: 20,114
Source: Sesap
