As schools let out for holiday break, public health officials are emphasizing the importance of childhood and adolescent immunizations. The lull in academic routines and increased availability of healthcare appointments present a key chance to ensure children are protected against preventable diseases like measles, polio, and influenza. This push comes as health authorities worldwide continue to monitor and address potential outbreaks and maintain high rates of community immunity.
Efforts Aim to Immunize Children and Teens During School Break
With the school holidays now underway, health officials are urging parents and guardians to use this time to ensure their children and adolescents are up-to-date on their vaccinations. The break from routine and increased availability of appointments make this an ideal opportunity to visit healthcare facilities and verify that all recommended doses from the National Immunization Plan (PNI) have been administered. Maintaining strong vaccination rates is a cornerstone of public health, protecting individuals and communities from preventable diseases.
“Keeping immunizations current is essential to protect against a range of preventable diseases, many of which are already controlled in Brazil, such as measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, hepatitis, and meningitis,” said Thainá Fratane, Subsecretary of Collective Health. “Updating vaccination records helps prevent outbreaks, reduces hospitalizations, and ensures greater safety upon returning to school and other activities. With a complete vaccination schedule, children are better protected and contribute to the safety of everyone.”
Vaccines have been instrumental in eradicating and controlling numerous diseases, as demonstrated most recently by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At healthcare facilities, a patient’s clinical condition and vaccination record will be assessed to determine which vaccines are needed. Most vaccines can be administered on the same day, with rare exceptions, based on each individual’s history. Vaccinations cannot be given if a patient has a fever. All vaccines are safe and recommended by the Ministry of Health, and those who have lost their vaccination record can receive guidance on which vaccines are appropriate for their age.
Cibelle Rodrigues de Carvalho, Immunization Coordinator for the Health Department, emphasized that vaccination remains one of the most effective strategies for preserving children’s health. “The holidays provide a great opportunity to review vaccination records without disrupting the school schedule. Many families are able to better organize their routines during this time, making it easier to attend appointments. It’s crucial that parents don’t delay, as each missed dose represents an unnecessary risk. Protecting a child is an act of love and responsibility towards the health of our children and the entire community,” she stated.
To receive vaccinations, simply bring the child’s vaccination record and a form of identification to the family health units (USFs) with vaccination rooms. Most units are open from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with patients accepted until 4:30 p.m. The Gonçalense Municipal Clinics of Mutondo and Dr. Zerbini, in Arsenal, are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., excluding public holidays.
Vaccination vs. Immunization
Immunization requires completing all recommended doses of the vaccination schedule. Therefore, a single-dose vaccine provides immunization after the first dose. For vaccines requiring multiple doses, immunization occurs only after all doses are administered within the prescribed timeframe. Immunization is the development of protection against the disease for which a person was vaccinated, indicating the production of antibodies.
Vaccines Available for Children Up to 5 Years Old
BCG (severe forms of tuberculosis) – at birth
Hepatitis B – at birth
Rotavirus human oral (diarrhea caused by Rotavirus) – 2 and 4 months
Pentavalent (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae b) – 2, 4, and 6 months
IPV (injectable polio vaccine) – 2, 4, and 6 months
Pneumococcal 10-valent (pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis) – 2 and 4 months, with a booster at 12 months
Meningococcal C (meningitis caused by serogroup C meningococcus) – 3 and 5 months, with a booster at 12 months
COVID-19 – 6, 7, and 9 months
Influenza – one dose annually from six months to 5 years, 11 months, and 29 days
Yellow Fever – 9 months and 4 years
Triple Viral (measles, mumps, and rubella) – 12 months
Tetra Viral (triple viral and varicella – measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox) – 15 months
Hepatitis A – 15 months
DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) – 15 months and 4 years
Varicella (chickenpox) – 4 years
Vaccines Available for Children Over 7 Years Old and Adolescents
Hepatitis B – Starting at 7 years of age
Adult Double – dT (diphtheria, tetanus) – 1 dose every 10 years starting at 7 years, considering previous doses of Pentavalent and DTP. In case of severe injuries, the booster is anticipated to an interval of 5 years
Yellow Fever – booster if the person received a dose before completing 5 years of age, and a single dose for people who have never been vaccinated or have no proof of vaccination
Triple Viral (measles, mumps, and rubella) – initiate or complete two doses according to vaccination status
Quadrivalent HPV – from 9 to 14 years and catch-up for adolescents up to 19 years, 11 months, and 29 days
dTpa (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) – from the 20th week of pregnancy
Qdenga (four types of dengue virus: Denv-1, Denv-2, Denv-3, and Denv-4) – from 10 to 20 years in two doses
ACWY Meningococcal Conjugate (meningitis caused by serogroups A, C, W, Y meningococcus) – one dose from 11 to 14 years
Vaccines Available for Adults
Adult Double – dT (diphtheria, tetanus) – 1 dose every 10 years. In case of severe injuries, the booster is anticipated to an interval of 5 years
Yellow Fever – single dose for people who have never been vaccinated or have no proof of vaccination up to 59 years
Hepatitis B – Without vaccination proof: 3 doses
Triple Viral (measles, mumps, and rubella) – 2 doses up to 29 years and healthcare professionals. And 1 dose from 30 to 59 years
dTpa (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) – from the 20th week of pregnancy, healthcare professionals (neonatal and pediatrics), and daycare professionals who deal with children under 4 years of age
