National Immunization Day reinforces the importance of vaccines

Vaccination is a form of individual and collective protection for the population. This Monday (9/6) is National Immunization Day, an initiative to promote and encourage vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases, that is, diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. The Municipal Health Department (SMS) has been investing in several strategies to recover and expand vaccination coverage for children and adolescents, in addition to also encouraging the immunization of adolescents and adults, taking the vaccines to places with a large circulation of people. As a result of these efforts, the good practices that helped boost vaccination coverage were recognized by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and, in adult vaccination, the city reached the milestone of more than 1,6 million people vaccinated against influenza.

In total, there are 18 routine vaccines offered at basic health units on a permanent basis, throughout the year at vaccination points distributed throughout the city. The vaccines stimulate the body's defenses to identify and protect itself from viruses or bacteria, with the aim of preventing deaths and eradicating diseases. It is the most effective method for preventing complications, hospitalizations and deaths resulting from the most severe infections caused by viruses in more susceptible groups. As winter approaches, it is important to update the vaccination record with the vaccines of the season: against COVID-19, influenza, yellow fever and measles.

In 2024, the city of Rio de Janeiro achieved the highest vaccination coverage rate for children in the last six years, reversing the downward trend of previous years. The recovery in vaccination coverage is the result of a series of initiatives by the SMS, which were awarded by the Ministry of Health. Among the actions, GeoVacina Rio stands out, a virtual georeferencing tool for actively searching for children registered in a health unit. In addition, the SMS promotes the Vacina na Escola Program, which takes immunization to educational institutions. With this, the city achieved 94,7% coverage of the pentavalent vaccine. The city stood out last year, being the second Brazilian capital with the highest coverage for polio, reaching over 90%, a significant improvement over previous years.

– Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing diseases, and the SUS has one of the largest and most comprehensive immunization programs in the world. In the city of Rio, we are currently running vaccination campaigns against the flu, COVID-19, and measles. We are a champion city in immunization, and Rio residents deserve congratulations for always coming to health centers to get their shots. By getting vaccinated, by getting their children vaccinated, they are protecting the child, themselves, and everyone around them – highlighted the city’s Health Secretary, Daniel Soranz.

On June 2, the city of Rio expanded vaccination against the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 to seniors aged 70 and over. The vaccine is safe, effective against the circulating variant, and helps reduce the risk of hospitalization and mortality from the disease. This is the second age group authorized to receive the vaccine. Other age groups will be covered in a staggered manner, according to the schedule for sending doses by the Ministry of Health.

In addition, the flu campaign is also underway. Due to the seasonality of the disease, the vaccine is available to the population from six months of age. Regarding measles and yellow fever, there have been recent cases in neighboring cities and states and the vaccines are available to those who have never taken the vaccine or who meet other conditions that will be evaluated by the health professional.

The SMS is also making extra vaccination points available throughout the city every week, making it easier for Rio residents to get vaccinated. On Monday, extra vaccination points against influenza and measles will be available at Saara, which will be open from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 17 pm; at Carioca station, from Monday to Wednesday, from 8:30 am to 16 pm; and at Gentileza Terminal, also from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 16 pm.

To get vaccinated, you must present an identification document and, if possible, your vaccination record. If you have any questions, you can go to a health unit for the appropriate assessment and guidance.

In Rio, immunization is carried out in the 240 Primary Care health units (municipal health centers and family clinics) and at the Super Centro Carioca de Vacinação, Botafogo units (open from Sunday to Sunday, from 8 am to 22 pm) and Campo Grande, which is located in ParkShoppingCampoGrande (open from Sunday to Sunday, according to the shopping center's opening hours).

Check out the schedule of vaccination points this week against flu and measles:

Day 9 – Monday
Caju Central Square - 9am to 12pm

Days 9, 10, 11,12, 13 and XNUMX – Monday to Friday
Saara: R. Buenos Aires, 321 – 9am to 17pm
Gentileza Terminal – 8am to 16pm

Days 9, 10 and 11 – Monday to Wednesday
Largo da Carioca – 8:30 am to 16 pm

Day 10 – Tuesday
Jardim América Fair: Michael Cheib Square – 9am to 12pm

Days 10 and 12 – Tuesday and Thursday
Central do Brasil – 8am to 16pm

Day 11 – Wednesday
Serzedelo Correia Square – 9am to 12pm

Day 12 – Thursday
Ceasa Irajá: 9am to 13pm

Category:

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June 9th, 2025

Appointments: Covid-19 National Immunization Day flu influence extra vaccination points Measles vaccination