Health Brazil, child, diseases, HEALTH, immunization, Ministry of Health, PNI, prevention, vaccination, vaccination schedule Rodolfo Teixeira 25 de June de 2024 0 Comments

Protecting the Future: A Comprehensive Guide to Brazil’s Child Vaccination Schedule

Childhood is a crucial stage for a child’s physical and immunological development. During this period, the body is still forming and more susceptible to serious diseases. Vaccines, in this context, play a fundamental role in preventing various diseases, ensuring the health and well-being of little ones. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health, through the National Immunization Program (PNI), offers the National Child Vaccination Schedule, a complete and updated guide with the recommended doses and ages for each vaccine.

The importance of vaccination in childhood:

Vaccines work like training for the immune system, preparing it to fight against specific disease-causing agents. Upon contact with the attenuated or inactivated version of the virus or bacterium, the body learns to recognize and produce antibodies against it, protecting itself from future infections.

According to the Ministry of Health, vaccines are responsible for preventing about 25 diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, pneumonia, meningitis, and yellow fever. In addition to protecting children themselves, vaccination contributes to herd immunity, reducing the circulation of viruses and bacteria in the population and making it difficult to transmit diseases.

The National Child Vaccination Schedule:

The National Child Vaccination Schedule is a fundamental guide to ensuring the health and well-being of little ones. Prepared by the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with specialists, the schedule presents the recommended doses and ages for each vaccine, considering the period of greatest vulnerability of children to serious diseases.

The schedule is updated periodically, based on new studies and scientific evidence. The most recent version, published in 2024, includes some new features, such as the Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months and over.

The main vaccines in the National Schedule:

The National Child Vaccination Schedule offers a series of essential vaccines for the protection of little ones. Among the main vaccines, we can highlight:

BCG: Protects against severe forms of tuberculosis, such as meningitis and miliary disease. Single dose applied at birth.
Hepatitis B: Prevents hepatitis B, a disease that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Three doses applied at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
DTP+Hib+HB (Pentavalent): Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae B, and hepatitis B. Three doses applied at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
10-valent Pneumococcal (PCV10): Prevents pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, otitis, and sinusitis. Three doses applied at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a booster at 15 months of age.
Polio (VOP): Protects against polio, also known as infantile paralysis. Three doses applied at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with two boosters: one at 15 months of age and another between 4 and 6 years of age.
Yellow Fever: Prevents yellow fever, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Two doses: the first at 9 months of age and the second at 10 years of age.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. One dose applied at 12 months of age.
Varicella: Prevents varicella, also known as chickenpox. One dose applied at 15 months of age.
Covid-19: Protects against Covid-19. Three doses applied at 6, 7, and 9 months of age. Children who have not started or completed the vaccination schedule by 9 months of age can receive the doses up to 4 years and 11 months of age.

Other important vaccines:

In addition to the vaccines present in the National Schedule, other immunizations are also recommended for children in specific situations. It is important to consult the pediatrician to know which additional vaccines are necessary.

Meningitis C Vaccine:

Protects against meningitis C, a serious disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis C.
Recommended for children at 3, 5, and 7 months of age, with a booster at 12 years of age.
Children with risk factors for meningitis C, such as chronic diseases, asplenia, or immunosuppression, may need additional doses.

Rotavirus Vaccine:

Protects against rotavirus, a viral disease that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
Three doses applied at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
The vaccine does not completely prevent the disease, but it can reduce the severity of symptoms and the need for hospitalization.

Hepatitis A Vaccine:

Protects against hepatitis A, a viral disease that can affect the liver.
Two doses applied at 12 and 18 months of age.
The vaccine is also recommended for adults who travel to countries with high prevalence of the disease or who work with food.

Diphtheria and Tetanus Vaccine:

Protects against diphtheria and tetanus, serious diseases caused by bacteria.
Booster doses every 10 years starting at 7 years of age.
Adolescents and adults who have not received the recommended booster doses should consult their doctor to update their vaccinations.

HPV Vaccine:

Protects against the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer, genital warts, and other types of cancer.
Two doses applied to girls between 9 and 14 years of age.
Boys between 11 and 14 years of age can also get the HPV vaccine if they wish.

Influenza Vaccine:

Protects against the flu, a respiratory illness caused by viruses.
Recommended annually for all children aged 6 months and over.
Risk groups, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases, should also get vaccinated annually.

Where to get vaccinated:

The vaccines in the National Child Vaccination Schedule are available for free at health centers throughout the country. It is important to bring the child’s vaccination card so that the health professional can check which doses have already been applied and which are still needed.

Remember:

Vaccination is one of the most important measures to protect children’s health. Keep your child’s vaccination card up to date and consult the pediatrician to clarify any doubts and receive guidance on the recommended vaccines for each age.

Download the Calendar in PDF