The best ally against respiratory diseases? Doctors and Dr. Kalil warn

Vaccination continues to be one of the main protection tools against respiratory diseases, according to experts who participated in the program Vital Signs with Dr. Kalil, shown this Saturday (6). Infectious disease specialist and Unifesp professor Nancy Bellei, together with pulmonologist and professor Clystenes Odyr Soares Silva, was emphatic in stating that "vaccines save lives", reinforcing the need for immunization especially during the period of intense circulation of influenza A and B viruses.

Nancy highlighted that Brazil is going through the flu season, with the simultaneous circulation of two types of the virus already known to the population. According to her, the flu vaccine is annual and should be taken regularly, especially by people belonging to risk groups.

Public distribution and options for different profiles
The expert reported that Brazil has public distribution of the flu vaccine for priority groups and that, in most cities, the entire population can be vaccinated in health services. "Those who are not covered by the national distribution can also protect themselves at vaccination clinics", highlighted Nancy Bellei.

For the elderly population, aged 60 and over, there are additional options available in the private network, such as high-dose flu vaccines, which offer reinforced protection. The specialist recalled that elderly people of different age groups and with different health conditions have varied immunological needs, which justifies the use of these more modern formulations.

Vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus protects newborns
Nancy Bellei also addressed the vaccine against RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), highlighting the adherence of Brazilian pregnant women to immunization, which began at the end of the previous year.

The vaccine is distributed by the SUS and is also available on the private network, being produced by the same manufacturer and considered "extremely safe". The results are already visible: "we are seeing that cases of bronchiolitis in newborns have decreased", said the specialist.

COVID-19 and shingles also require attention
The specialist also recommended vaccination against COVID-19, especially for the elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised people and patients with chronic diseases, with a frequency of at least once a year - and ideally twice a year for these groups.

Finally, Nancy Bellei highlighted the importance of shingles vaccines for the elderly population, classifying it as "very important" for this audience.

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Source: CNN