Increase in Covid cases causes race to vaccine stations in SP

The increase in cases of Covid-19 and the news of new subvariants of the virus, with the death of a woman in São Paulo, provoked a rush to health units in São Paulo to take the delay of the booster dose of the vaccine.

The São Paulo State Health Department confirmed on Monday night (7) the first two cases of the new Omicron subvariant BQ.1.1 in the capital. A 72-year-old woman, who was bedridden and had comorbidity, died of the strain, according to the folder.

Underlining is associated with the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Europe and the United States. In Brazil, the first occurrences were confirmed in Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul.

With the increasing cases, the health posts returned to have a queue of patients in search of immunization. People who missed the booster dose date decided to update their vaccination record.

The UBS (Basic Health Unit) Nossa Senhora do Brasil, in Bela Vista, was one of those that registered intense movement on the morning of this Wednesday (9).

According to professionals, demand for Covid-19 vaccines has increased in recent days.
Rafael Tolosa, 23, an architecture intern, is one of those who sought the post to receive the fourth dose in arrears.

“It’s been a little bit of time, a month or so. I didn’t come earlier because of work, but today with more time off I came to take it. I’m afraid of the possibility of a new wave and I also want to keep myself protected, with vaccinations up to date “, it says.

In his work there is a case of the disease. “A friend from work got infected this week. I think it’s important to stay vaccinated, it’s good because it protects the entire population and helps to ward off this pandemic that may come back”, he says.

According to Abramed (Brazilian Association of Diagnostic Medicine), there was an increase in the positivity rate of Covid-19 exams carried out in the private network. In the week of October 15-21, the index was at 8.8%, jumping to 17.3% in the week of October 22-28 and to 23.1% in the week of October 29-Nov.

Public relations officer Renata Silveira, 32, missed the date of the booster for months and had the disease.

“It was about four months after the date, then I had Covid-19 and had to wait a while to come. I have a one-year-old baby and he doesn’t have a vaccine, he can’t take it yet. new wave. I should have come earlier, but I came now a lot for him”, he says.

Renata says she believes it is necessary to reevaluate habits to stop new cases.

“As long as we don’t have a vaccine that lasts longer, we’re going to stay in this back and forth. I think now it’s time to go back to wearing a mask in public places, cleaning and thinking that children under three don’t have a vaccine yet”, he says.

With that in mind, housewife Neila Lima, 42, looked for the same unit to receive the fourth dose on time and also vaccinate her 3-year-old daughter.

“I came to bring her for an appointment and I took the opportunity to apply her first dose and take my fourth, which is up to date, on the right date. We get a little tense with the news and it’s better to take the vaccine to avoid [a doença]”, he says.

UBS Humaitá, in Bela Vista, also received people seeking to update their vaccination records.

Advertiser Odair Bressan, 41, could already receive the fourth dose from last Monday (7) and insists on keeping the vaccination up to date.

“I even keep the papers, the receipts, to monitor the dates of reinforcement and then I try to take all of them”, he says.

The publicist tries to mobilize relatives and friends. “We keep monitoring ourselves. We have family groups, groups of friends, and we put in these groups the booster dates that we will take to guide on the importance of booster doses”, he says.

Professor Margarida Nunes Rios, 58, went looking for information to receive the fourth dose four months late.

“I was dealing with things at home, many demands and I take care of my granddaughter all day. I couldn’t go out with children, that’s why it was so late”, he says.

The Municipal Health Department says that it has observed an increase in some units in recent days and claims to have sufficient doses for the immunization against Covid-19 of the current eligible public.

According to the folder, until Tuesday (8) 36,116,238 doses were applied against Covid-19 in the city. Among adults, vaccination coverage is 110.7% for the first dose, 107.6% for the second dose, 84.5% for the first booster dose and 44.2% for the second booster dose.

“A third additional dose is also available for people with a high degree of immunosuppression over 18 years of age who have taken DA2 [segunda dose de reforço] for at least four months”, says the secretary.

In the capital, the vaccine is available at the 470 UBSs (Basic Health Units) and AMAs (Outpatient Medical Care)/Integrated UBSs from Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 7 pm, and on Saturdays, at the Integrated AMAs/UBSs at the same time. . No appointment required.

You can consult the nearest health facility here.