Organ reinforces importance of vaccination and disease prevention measures in the affected regions
The Ministry of Health issued an alert about the increase in the transmission of yellow fever in Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Roraima and Tocantins. The technical note forwarded to the health departments points out that the seasonal period of the disease runs from December to May and recommends the intensification of surveillance and immunization actions in the areas considered at risk. Here’s (PDF – 148 kb).
The state of São Paulo, according to the ministry, concentrates most cases of yellow fever recorded over the first weeks of 2025. “Therefore, the Ministry of Health has decided to expand the sending of immunizer doses to the state government. The state will receive 2 million doses until the beginning of February, of which 800 thousand extra doses. Of these, 1 million was delivered in January ”says the text.
The amount was defined at a meeting of COE Dengue (Center for Emergency Operations in Public Health for Dengue and other arboviruses) on January 29, with the participation of the São Paulo State Department of Health. “The sending of the new doses ensures the supply of the yellow fever vaccine in the state”declared the organ.
The ministry said it has assisted the São Paulo State Department of Health in the investigation of suspicious and confirmed cases of yellow fever, especially in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto.
“The inventory of yellow fever vaccines in Brazil is regular, with shipments being made according to the requests of state managers, responsible for the distribution to the municipalities.”said the ministry. In 2024, the folder distributed 20,882,790 doses of the immunizer against yellow fever. In 2025, 3201,800 doses were sent.
Traveling Guidelines
People who plan to travel to areas where yellow fever is transmitted or to rural and forest regions should check their vaccination portfolio. “Those who have not taken the vaccine or received the fractional dose in 2018 should look for a health unit at least 10 days before the trip to immunize and prevent exposure to the virus without protection.”informs the ministry.
The same recommendations, according to the government, apply to the following groups:
- populations resident in locations with evidence of viral circulation or in rural areas;
- riverside populations and around parks and conservation units;
- rural, agricultural, extractive and environmental workers, among others;
- Individuals with sporadic exposure in risk areas (rural, wild).
Vaccination
The yellow fever vaccine appears as the main disease prevention tool. The immunizer is part of the basic vaccination calendar for children from 9 months to under 5 years old, with a dose of reinforcement at 4 years of age. A single dose for people aged 5 to 59 who have not yet been immunized is also planned.
Basic guidelines
Check out the main guidelines on yellow fever vaccination:
- Reinforcement dose for travelers: Individuals who received the fractional dose of the yellow fever vaccine in 2018 and will travel to areas with proven circulation of the virus should receive an additional dose in the standard presentation;
- Zero Dose: Applied between 6 and 8 months of life, the dose should be administered only to children who reside or travel to areas with confirmed circulation of the virus;
- Elderly Vaccination: People 60 or older should undergo an individualized medical evaluation before vaccination, considering the risk of exposure to the virus and their health conditions.
Care
In addition to immunization, the Ministry of Health considers that the population adopts personal protective measures to protect themselves from yellow fever, including the use of long -sleeved pants and shirts, the use of closed shoes and the application of repellents in exposed areas of the body.
Adds that “As yellow fever virus vectors have daytime habit, these precautions should be kept throughout the day.”.
In case of symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea or vomiting, the orientation is that the patient seeks medical attention and inform the health professional about possible exposure to risk areas for yellow fever.
With information from.
