Ribeirão Preto Launches Vaccination Campaign to Update Children's and Adolescents' Immunization Records
Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, has initiated a multivacination campaign aimed at updating immunization records for children and adolescents under 15 years old. The campaign, which began on Monday, October 3rd, is being conducted across 39 vaccination sites within the municipality. This initiative aligns with a directive from the São Paulo State Health Secretariat (SES-SP) for all municipalities in the state, seeking to address overdue vaccination schedules and improve coverage against various diseases. A key feature of this campaign is the introduction of a second booster dose for the inactivated polio vaccine (VIP), specifically for children aged 4. The campaign also aims to bolster protection against measles, following the confirmation of 15 cases in the state this year, and offers all other vaccines from the basic immunization calendar, which can be administered concurrently. Parents and guardians are advised to bring their child's vaccination booklet to a health unit for assessment by professionals who will determine the necessary doses. The state health department has updated the definitive polio vaccination schedule to exclusively use the inactivated vaccine (VIP). The complete schedule now includes three primary doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by two booster doses: the first at 15 months and the second at 4 years. Children up to 6 years, 11 months, and 29 days with delayed immunizations can also update their protection during this campaign. The state's objective is to achieve a 95% vaccination coverage rate, considered ideal for herd immunity, although current coverage in São Paulo stands at 75.49% as of May. Brazil has not reported polio cases since 1989. The campaign also highlights concerns about low coverage for the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. The 15 measles cases confirmed in São Paulo this year are primarily concentrated in the capital and its metropolitan area. State health data indicates that first-dose MMR coverage is at 77.5% and second-dose coverage is at 65.5% this year, a decline from 2025 figures. In addition to polio and measles, the campaign provides vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, yellow fever, hepatitis, meningitis, HPV, varicella, rotavirus, and BCG.
This multivacination campaign in Ribeirão Preto addresses critical public health goals, including polio and measles prevention, by updating immunization schedules for a vulnerable demographic. The initiative's emphasis on reaching a 95% coverage target, particularly for polio and measles, is essential for maintaining herd immunity and preventing outbreaks, especially given the reported decline in MMR vaccine coverage. The strategic introduction of a new polio vaccine booster and the simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines aim to streamline the process and maximize participation. From a public health systems perspective, sustained investment in accessible vaccination programs and robust public awareness campaigns are crucial for counteracting vaccine hesitancy and ensuring long-term disease control. The campaign's success will depend on effective outreach to underserved communities and continuous monitoring of coverage rates to adapt strategies as needed, ensuring that the benefits of widespread immunization are realized over the next decade.
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