The Ministry of Health launched today (7) the Border Vaccination Strategy, with the aim of updating the vaccination booklet of the population living in the border region between Brazil, Peru and Colombia. The program was launched in the city of Tabatinga (AM) and, during the event, an immunization action took place in the city’s port, close to the triple border between Brazil, Colombia and Peru, to update the vaccination booklet of the local population. The event was attended by the Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga.
According to the ministry, doses of the MMR vaccines (measles, mumps, rubella), polio, yellow fever, covid-19 and influenza will be prioritized for local populations in 33 Brazilian municipalities, located in 10 states: Acre (4 municipalities ), Amapá (1), Amazonas (1), Mato Grosso (1), Mato Grosso do Sul (7), Paraná (4), Rio Grande do Sul (11), Rondônia (1), Roraima (2) and Santa Catherine (1). The goal of the Ministry of Health is to update the vaccination status of residents of these cities.
Countries that border Brazil must be invited to join the vaccination plan, including municipalities that border the 33 selected Brazilian municipalities. Therefore, foreign cities will also be contemplated with the action.
“Vaccination, not only against covid-19, but against all diseases that are prevented by vaccines, is a great public health strategy”, said Minister Marcelo Queiroga. “The vaccine is a right for all and a duty of the State. And the Brazilian population knows its importance.”
The Border Vaccination Strategy runs until November 10 and aims to improve vaccination coverage in border cities and, thereby, prevent new cases or the reintroduction of vaccine-preventable diseases in Brazil. Of the 33 municipalities included in the program, 12% reached the goal of vaccination coverage with polio and MMR and 6% for yellow fever.
