Vaccination coverage against measles remains below the target established by the Ministry of Health in the main cities of Vale do Paraíba and the region.
The scenario is more critical in the application of the second dose of the vaccine: none of the nine municipalities in the region analyzed by g1 reached the ideal immunization rate for the target audience.
The vaccination coverage target for measles established by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) is 95% for both doses.
Immunization is the main form of prevention against the disease and is provided free of charge by the Unified Health System (SUS), through the triple viral vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
In the first dose of the vaccine, only three of the nine cities surveyed by the report reached or exceeded the 95% target: Caraguatatuba (99.91%), Atibaia (98.80%) and Caçapava (96.01%).
São José dos Campos and Taubaté, the two most populous municipalities in the region, have registered progress in recent months, but still operate below the recommended level.
In São José dos Campos, coverage was 82.81% for the first dose and 70.75% for the second in August. In October, the index rose to 93.81% in the first application and 78.91% in the second, according to the city hall.
In Taubaté, the rate is 94.46% in the first dose and drops to 79.84% in the second.
Check coverage rates in the region
Atibaia
1st dose: 98.80%
2nd dose: 82.50%
1st dose: 93.83%
2nd dose: 85.80%
Caçapava
1st dose: 96.01%
2nd dose: 74.12%
Caraguatatuba
1st dose: 99.91%
2nd dose: 83.02%
1st dose: 94.85%
2nd dose: 76.67%
São José dos Campos
1st dose: 93.51%
2nd dose: 78.91%
1st dose: 94.04%
2nd dose: 89.24%
Taubaté
1st dose: 94.46%
2nd dose: 79.84%
1st dose: 94.57%
2nd dose: 73.37%
In the state of São Paulo, coverage of the first dose went from 86.56% in April to 93.24% in July. The second dose increased from 72.72% to 78.37% in the same period. Despite the increase, both indices still remain outside the target.
The general survey by the Ministry of Health showed that no Brazilian state has reached the target so far.
Why does the 2nd dose drop so much?
The significant difference between the percentage of children who receive the first dose (at 12 months) and those who return to clinics for the second dose (at 15 months) characterizes the so-called vaccine abandonment. In cities like Ubatuba and Caçapava, the second dose rate drops to 73.37% and 74.12%, respectively.
According to infectious disease doctor Antonio Sérgio Mathias, children who receive only the first dose acquire partial protection, but do not achieve the necessary immunity to be free from the risk of infection.
"The child who took the first dose and delays the second dose is protected to a certain extent, but not in fact with the necessary immunity to fight the virus. The person responsible who missed the deadline does not need to wait for a new campaign: just look for the basic health unit, which will check the valid doses and complete what is missing in the schedule", explained Antonio Mathias.
According to the doctor, unlike what happens when people hesitate to take the first dose, the delay in the second dose is usually more linked to families' routines than to misinformation.
"What weighs most heavily is forgetfulness due to the overload of everyday life or the lack of knowledge that it is necessary to complete the scheme. Often the booklet is kept at home under other documents and parents let it go", said the doctor.
Scenario in the state of SP and risk of virus circulation
To date, there is no record of confirmed cases of measles in Vale do Paraíba in 2026. However, according to the São Paulo State Department of Health (SES-SP), the state has 41 confirmed cases of the disease this year — 37 in the capital of São Paulo, two in São Bernardo do Campo, one in Guarulhos and one in Santo André.
In the state consolidated, vaccination coverage also showed progress throughout 2026, but remains below the 95% target: the first dose went from 86.56% in April to 93.24% in July, while the second dose rose from 72.72% to 78.37% in the same period.
Due to the geographic proximity and the daily flow of residents and tourists between Greater São Paulo and the cities of Vale do Paraíba, the North Coast and the Bragantina region, health authorities maintain alert to prevent the reintroduction of the virus.
In São José dos Campos, the deputy secretary of Health, Joselma Alves, stated that the records in the metropolitan region motivated a task force in the municipality's Basic Health Units (UBS).
"We don't have these cases in the city, but in the state, this raised an alert for the population. This led the population to go get the vaccine at the basic health unit. But all our basic units take advantage of all the services to raise awareness and bring the population to vaccination. It is extremely important because our children need to be vaccinated and immunized with two doses", said Joselma.
The high target of 95% is established precisely due to the high potential for respiratory transmission of measles and the need to maintain the so-called collective immunity or herd effect.
Symptoms and possible serious complications
In the early days, measles can easily be confused with the flu or a bad cold. Key warning signs include:
High fever;
Persistent cough;
Runny nose (runny nose);
Redness in the eyes (conjunctivitis) with tearing;
Reddish spots on the skin (exanthema), which appear a few days after the initial symptoms, starting on the face and behind the ears and spreading towards the rest of the body.
"So, if you have any symptoms similar to these, go to the basic health unit, avoid high circulation environments because transmission is respiratory, it is through talking, coughing, sneezing and contamination is very easy", advised deputy secretary Joselma Alves.
Contrary to what many people think, measles can worsen in both children and unvaccinated adults. According to infectious disease specialist Antônio Sérgio Matias, the most common problem resulting from the infection is ear pain, but the patient is also at risk of developing severe pneumonia.
"When developing pneumonia, the child or adult may need mechanical ventilation, be intubated and, even so, not resist", added Antonio.
Who should get vaccinated
The measles vaccine is available free of charge in basic health units in all municipalities in São Paulo. Check out the scheme proposed by the Ministry of Health and the State Department of Health:
Children: 1st dose at 12 months and 2nd dose at 15 months
People aged 15 months to 29 years: two doses confirmed in the booklet
Adults aged 30 to 59: at least one proven dose
Healthcare workers: two proven doses, regardless of age
In addition to the routine calendar, there is also the so-called zero dose, aimed at babies aged 6 months to 11 months and 29 days. The application is recommended for children who live or travel in regions with active recommendations from health authorities (such as municipalities with confirmed cases or outbreak alerts).
However, zero dose serves as extra and emergency protection, that is, it does not replace the mandatory doses on the regular schedule scheduled at 12 and 15 months.
Adults who have lost their childhood vaccination record or do not know if they have already received the vaccine should also look for the nearest health center to update their vaccination schedule.
Who cannot take the vaccine
As the vaccine is produced with a live attenuated (weakened) virus, the MMR vaccine has specific contraindications. They should not receive the dose:
Pregnant women
Babies under 6 months, except when needing zero dose
People with severe allergies (anaphylaxis) to components of previous doses
Immunosuppressed patients, such as people undergoing cancer treatment or with hematological diseases
In cases of doubt or chronic health conditions, the advice of medical authorities is to always consult the health center team or the responsible doctor before taking the vaccine.
