The end of the year festivities have begun and precautions to avoid contagion by Covid-19 and the flu must be reinforced. Even with the drop in the number of cases and deaths caused by the disease, the pandemic is not over. In Rio Grande do Norte, according to data from the State Department of Public Health (Sesap/RN), 73% of the target population is fully vaccinated, which corresponds to 2,277,929 people. However, 211,594 citizens are late in their vaccination cycle against Covid-19, which poses a risk for the development of a serious infection. In Brazil, this number is close to 20 million.

ISD's infectious disease medical preceptor, Manoella Alves, highlights the need for the elderly, especially, to complete the immunization cycle against coronavirus and influenza (flu). “The elderly must complete the vaccination cycle just like every individual from another age group who has already received their first dose. However, as the elderly are part of a risk group for developing severe Covid-19, it becomes even more important that they have the complete vaccination schedule. Vaccines that require two doses are those in which studies have shown that with just two doses, the individual is effectively protected, that is, the second dose is essential for the individual to develop much greater protection against Covid-19. The second dose causes a new stimulus for the immune system”, declares the infectious disease specialist.

Based on a booklet prepared by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), entitled “Covid-19 – Being vaccinated is the best gift at the end of the year”, the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) lists a series of attitudes that should be adopted at meetings family, socializing among friends and in work environments with the aim of reducing the risk of contamination by the coronavirus. Also with this objective, some City Halls decided to cancel public New Year's Eve parties, mainly. The private ones, however, are maintained.

“That is why it is important that everyone, regardless of age, must seek complete vaccination. Furthermore, maintaining the use of masks and social distancing are still effective measures to combat Covid-19”, emphasizes the ISD infectious disease medical preceptor, Manoella Alves.

According to Fiocruz, the primary care is to ensure that everyone is vaccinated. As the vaccine only begins to act in the body after an interval of approximately 14 days, the ideal is for those who have not yet taken a dose to do so as quickly as possible. The safest, however, is the complete vaccination cycle with two doses or also the booster dose, for those who are already indicated. In Natal, the Municipal Health Department (SMS Natal) reduced the interval between D2 and the booster dose to four months for people aged 18 and over. Children over 12 years of age are now able to take the vaccine.

Even with the reopening of economic activities, resumption of services in hotels and parties, attitudes such as limiting the number of people in environments must be followed strictly in order to not cause crowding. Open spaces with greater ventilation should be prioritized, avoiding the use of air conditioning. In bathrooms, washbasins, kitchen sinks and common areas, the use of cloth towels should be replaced with paper towels, with neutral soap available for hand hygiene. Alcohol gel must always be made available at different points of the event, especially in places close to food and drinks. “Considering that the pandemic is not over, that we have 71% of our target audience vaccinated, over 12 years of age, it is very important that people are aware that the use of a mask is still mandatory and that they complete the vaccination cycle. We still have a lot of people who are overdue for their second dose. Sesap advises that, with any flu-like symptoms, contact with other people should be avoided and the rapid test for Covid-19 should be carried out as soon as possible in any health unit. It is important that everyone is aware and responsible for their actions”, highlights Diana Rego, deputy coordinator of Epidemiological Surveillance at Sesap/RN.

Sesap/RN reinforces the need for immunization with vaccines against Covid-19 and Influenza, available in all municipalities. The state distributed 200,000 doses of the Influenza vaccine last week to reinforce the immunization work of the people of Rio Grande do Sul. To date, 93 cases of Influenza A and 37 cases of H2N3 have been identified, investigated through the Central Laboratory (LACEN). Furthermore, the first case of co-infection between Influenza and Covid-19 was detected.

masks

Despite not having been approved by Brazilian health authorities, disuse of masks is increasingly common in open environments across the country. Ideally, however, the elderly and immunosuppressed people should make use of this safety item and stay away from crowds, prioritizing environments with natural air circulation. Ask guests that, if they have flu or Covid-19 symptoms, they do not come to the event.

Patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, advanced stage chronic kidney disease, immunosuppression caused by the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or cancer; people over 60 years of age, smokers, pregnant women, sheltered women and children under five years of age must make participation in festive events this year-end conditional on an assessment of the risks involved.

For those who are going to travel, the guidance is that the vaccination cycle is complete. In addition, travelers must always wear a mask, keep their hands clean with alcohol gel or soap, take a test to detect the Covid virus two or three days before traveling and avoid traveling if they present any symptoms of the disease.