Seniors aged 70 can now get vaccinated against Covid JN.1

The vaccine is safe, effective against the circulating variant and helps reduce the risk of hospitalization and mortality from the disease - Edu Kapps/SMS

The Municipal Health Department (SMS) began vaccinating seniors aged 2 and over against the JN.6 variant of COVID-70 this Monday (1/19). The vaccine is safe, effective against the variant in circulation 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.

– We have a very comfortable epidemiological outlook for the disease, because 98% of the population of Rio de Janeiro has been vaccinated and we need to maintain this coverage. We have also started home vaccination for bedridden people, so anyone with a disease that prevents them from getting out of bed can access their family health team, through the location of care on the city hall website, and schedule an appointment. We hope to vaccinate 200 people aged 70 or over in the city of Rio de Janeiro – explained the municipal health secretary, Daniel Soranz.

The city of Rio has already vaccinated seniors living in long-term care facilities and seniors aged 80 or over. The vaccine is available at 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 at ParkShoppingCampoGrande (open from Sunday to Sunday, according to the shopping center's opening hours).

Psychologist Maria Teresa Rausch, 77, and her husband, Júlio César, 80, were immunized this Monday against Covid-19 with the vaccine that protects against the new variant at the Super Carioca Vaccination Center, in Botafogo.

– It is important that everyone pays attention to the importance of the COVID vaccine; it saves us and has already saved many people. Let’s get vaccinated. We need to take advantage of the opportunity that the SUS offers us. Congratulations to the SUS, to the Health Department and to all the professionals involved – said Maria.

In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, it is also important to get the other seasonal vaccines: influenza, yellow fever and measles. The flu campaign is underway, due to the seasonality of the disease, and in the city of Rio, everyone from six months of age can get vaccinated. Regarding measles and yellow fever, there have been recent cases in neighboring cities and states and the vaccines are available for those who have never taken the vaccines or who meet other conditions that will be evaluated by the health professional.