Meningococcal ACWY: Rio ends expanded vaccination campaign this Saturday

Rio city hall ends this Saturday (31) the application of the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine to people up to 59 years of age. In 25 days, more than 410,000 people were immunized, according to the Municipal Health Department.

The action was an initiative of the federal government, through the Ministry of Health, which distributed remaining batches to be applied to the population. Normal vaccination with this vaccine is for children aged 1 to 4 and adolescents aged 11 to 14.

The demand for the vaccine was great this Saturday morning (31). There are reports that at least four health centers have run out of doses:

Píndaro de Carvalho Rodrigues Post, in Gávea

Rodolpho Rocco Polyclinic, in Del Castilho

José Messias do Carmo Health Center, in Santo Cristo

Valdir Franco Health Center, in Bangu

Botafogo Vaccination Supercenter

Incorporated into the SUS in 2020, the vaccine is part of the routine immunization of adolescents aged 11 to 14 and children aged 1 to 4 years. In addition, the municipal network offers other vaccines against meningitis, administered between two and 12 months of age.

Meningococcal ACWY protects against four types of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, which causes the so-called meningococcal disease. It can manifest itself in two main ways: meningitis and meningococcemia.

"Meningitis is a very serious disease that can be caused by different pathogens. For some of them, the SUS provides free vaccines. The incorporation of Meningococcal ACWY for adolescents six years ago, and more recently for children, was an immense gain. This rescue is a chance for everyone up to 24 years old and also for health workers to protect themselves", says the municipal secretary of Health, Rodrigo Prado.

Meningococcal disease can be fatal in many cases and, even when the patient recovers, there is a risk of serious and permanent sequelae, such as hearing loss, limb amputation, seizures and neurological damage. It can affect children and adults.

Meningococcal ACWY is available in all 245 vaccination rooms in the city, including the three units of the Super Centro Carioca de Vaccination.