Rio Grande do Norte is experiencing a new period of increasing Covid-19 cases. According to data from the State Health Department, the curve of notifications of the disease began to rise again in November and ended last year with a high of 859 new cases registered in the last week of December. This scenario reinforces the need for extra attention to groups vulnerable to the disease, including newborns.
The biggest concern for babies is due to the fact that vaccination against Covid-19 is not allowed for newborns from zero to 6 months. Therefore, as advised by infectologist Carolina Damásio, from Center for Health Education and Research Anita Garibaldi, linked to the Santos Dumont Institute, people with flu symptoms should avoid contact with newborns to reduce the chances of contagion by coronavirus and other respiratory diseases.
In the case of mothers who tested positive for Covid, Damásio explains that breastfeeding of newborns cannot be suspended during the incubation period and manifestation of the disease. “Mothers with suspected or confirmed cases can breastfeed, as Covid is not transmitted through breast milk,” he explains.
However, the infectologist adds that additional care needs to be taken before and during the time babies are fed. Among them, “wear a mask when in close contact with the baby, including during breastfeeding; keep environments airy and ventilated and wash your hands with soap and water before picking up the baby or handling utensils that will be used by the baby”.
Currently, the Ministry of Health recommends vaccination against COVID-19 for children aged 6 months and older. In this age group, the complete vaccination schedule includes 3 doses, which must be administered following the recommended intervals: 1st dose to 2nd dose: 4-week interval; and 2nd dose to 3rd dose: 8-week interval.
“Babies are part of the risk groups for complications from respiratory diseases, and therefore should be vaccinated as soon as they reach the vaccination age range. Furthermore, taking the vaccine during pregnancy has also been shown to help protect babies in the first months of life,” warns Carolina.
ABOUT ISD
The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) is a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and includes the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute and the Anita Garibaldi Center for Health Education and Research, both in Macaíba. ISD's mission is to promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching, research and extension actions, in addition to contributing to a fairer and more humane transformation of Brazilian social reality.
