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Even with the increase in cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the demand for vaccination against influenza remains low throughout Acre, according to the State Department of Health (Sesacre), through the National Immunization Program (PNI) .
Due to low vaccination coverage, at least 30,000 vaccines could expire and be discarded if they are not administered by January 31st, in the capital of Acre.
Influenza A vaccine, known as the flu vaccine/Photo: Disclosure
The damage is even greater when the analysis is carried out at the state level. There are more than 200 thousand vaccines that are at risk of being lost in health units across Acre.
Renata Quiles, PNI coordinator, stated that the low demand is regrettable and highlighted the importance of vaccination to prevent serious cases of the disease.
“Vaccines have shown effectiveness, especially in recent years. We just need to observe the decrease in serious cases of Covid-19 due to the advance in vaccination coverage. It is regrettable that people do not go to health units to get vaccinated”, he argued.
Renata Quiles, PNI coordinator in Acre. Photo: Luan Martins/Sesacre
Asked about the measures that can be adopted to reach more people, such as holding a joint effort, Renata stated that the decision is up to each municipality.
Anyone from six months of age can be vaccinated against the flu. However, the call is reinforced for priority groups defined by the Ministry of Health, such as pregnant women, women who have recently given birth, the elderly (60+), health and education workers, indigenous people, people with disabilities, people with chronic illnesses or special clinical conditions, police officers civilians, firefighters, Armed Forces, drivers and collectors, port workers and truck drivers.
To receive the vaccine, simply take a photo ID, CPF and vaccination card to the health units.
The number of medical visits due to flu increases across the state
In epidemiological week 02 of the current year (SE-02/2025), 522 consultations for Flu Syndrome were recorded in the state’s three sentinel units. This number is above that recorded in previous years in the same period: 300 consultations in 2024 and 521 consultations in 2023.
In 2024, there was a change in the age group most affected by acute respiratory diseases, moving to young adults between 20 and 29 years old, without severity. In 2025, the scenario continues to impact mainly the age group between 20 and 39 years old.
