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Rio de Janeiro City Hall extends flu vaccination campaign.
Published on 30/05/2026 - 11:13 | Updated on 04/06/2026 - 16:43
Immunization will be available for everyone from six months of age - Edu Kapps / SMS The Municipal Health Department (SMS) has extended the influenza vaccination campaign in the city. Immunization will continue at family clinics and municipal health centers, as well as the three Super Centro Carioca de Vacinação units. All people from six months of age can receive the vaccine, but the greatest concern is for priority groups: children under 6 years old, the elderly, and pregnant women. These groups are more susceptible to complications from the disease, especially during the autumn and winter months, and vaccination is the main way to prevent severe cases and deaths caused by the virus.
Influenza is an acute respiratory infection mainly caused by type A and B viruses. In 2025, the city of Rio de Janeiro recorded 1.036 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by influenza, with 144 deaths. Despite more than 1 million doses administered in 2026, only 1 in 3 people in priority groups have been vaccinated so far.
"We cannot underestimate the flu, which is the main disease on our epidemiological calendar, nor can we allow it to cause hospitalizations and deaths that could be prevented by vaccination. It is essential that all people in priority groups seek out a health unit to get vaccinated. We are in the seasonal period for the disease, and it is important that the most vulnerable groups are protected and have their vaccination records up to date," warns the municipal health secretary, Rodrigo Prado.
The vaccine is available at the 243 vaccination sites in the municipal health network, including family clinics and municipal health centers, and the Super Centro Carioca de Vacinação, in the Botafogo units (open Sunday to Sunday, from 8 am to 22 pm), the West Zone (at ParkShoppingCampoGrande) and the North Zone (at Shopping Nova América). The latter two operate Sunday to Sunday, according to the shopping center's hours.
The vaccine is safe, even for people with chronic illnesses and those who are immunocompromised, and can be administered along with other vaccines on the schedule. The only contraindications are for children under six months of age and people with a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose.
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