Amapá investigates 7 suspected cases of measles and reinforces vaccination outside health centers

The Amapá Health Surveillance Superintendency (SVS) intensified vaccination actions outside traditional posts to increase population protection and combat the risk of measles reintroduction. The measure occurs at a time when the state is investigating 7 suspected cases of the disease and Brazil has already recorded 52 confirmations this year.

The strategy, called "extramural vaccination", takes teams and doses from the Unified Health System (SUS) to high-traffic locations.

"The extramural actions consist of this: looking for people to vaccinate. In other words, they are all those people who cannot access the vaccination rooms. Through this work, we are able to reach companies, private institutions, public bodies and update their vaccination record", explains Ivon Cardoso, immunization coordinator for the State of Amapá.

The Health Surveillance alert was reinforced due to the registration of cases in other states and the emergence of outbreaks in countries in the Americas, such as the United States, Mexico, Guatemala and Peru. In Amapá, authorities are monitoring seven suspected cases.

As it is a state with cross-border areas, Amapá prioritized checking vaccination records in regions with the greatest flow of people and in vulnerable communities.

"We are very concerned about the issue of the indigenous area. Oiapoque and Pedra Branca, for example, are places where we need to step up and take this vaccine to these people", highlights the coordinator.

The main form of protection against the disease is the MMR vaccine, which also protects against mumps and rubella.

"We had cases of measles in Brazil this year and the threat of reintroduction. So it is important that we are vaccinated against measles through MMR so that we certainly do not run the risk of measles arriving here in the state", reinforces Ivon.

The most recent data show that vaccination coverage in Amapá has been recovering pace in recent years. In the average of the 11 vaccines on the childhood calendar, the rate rose from 58.1% in 2022 to 79.1% in 2024. In 2025, the average was 78.4% and, to date, it has registered 75.3%.

Despite the progress, the numbers remain below the 90% to 95% level recommended by the Ministry of Health.

Check the status of some of the main immunization agents in the state:

Hepatitis B: 89.9%

BCG (tuberculosis): 88.5%

Triple Viral (1st dose): 83%

Triple Viral (2nd dose): 63.5%

According to SVS, among the factors that hinder achieving the goals are the turnover of health professionals, failures in the internet connection to send data to national systems and the refusal of part of the population to take the doses (vaccine hesitancy).

The State Government reported that the Immunobiological Center's stocks are fully stocked and that there is no shortage of doses sent to the 16 municipalities in Amapá.

To get vaccinated at the clinic: Just go to the Basic Health Unit (UBS) closest to home with an official document with photo and vaccination booklet.

To request a joint effort at your company or school: Institutions interested in receiving a vaccination team can send the request by email to SVS