With the aim of encouraging voluntary blood donation and marking the beginning of vaccination against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the state, the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, participated this Saturday (6), in São Paulo, in the Sangue Corinthiano project, at the Neo Química Arena.
The movement is carried out voluntarily by Corinthians and is aimed at donating blood and strengthening health care actions.
It is Padilha’s third participation in the mobilization. In previous years, he was present as a minister and infectious disease doctor, highlighting voluntary donation as a permanent gesture of solidarity. He was part of joint efforts in Parque São Jorge and in units of the São Paulo blood network, always defending the expansion of blood donation and access to vaccination as complementary policies.
RSV
By participating in the movement for the third time, Padilha reinforced the vaccination of pregnant women against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the main cause of bronchiolitis in newborns, marking the beginning of vaccination against bronchiolitis in the state of São Paulo.
According to the Ministry of Health, of the first national batch, with 673 thousand doses, 134.5 thousand were destined for the state of São Paulo, with 34 thousand for the capital. The acquisition is part of the campaign that initially foresees 1.8 million doses and an investment of R$1.17 billion.
“The bronchiolitis vaccine protects the pregnant woman and her unborn child. It is very important to vaccinate during pregnancy so that the baby is born protected.
The minister highlighted that the Unified Health System (SUS) is the largest public health system in the world, ensuring that mothers have free access to protection for their child against one of the main causes of child hospitalization.
The offer in the SUS, which in the private network can cost up to R$1,500, was made possible through a partnership with the Butantan Institute and the producing laboratory, which includes the transfer of technology to Brazil.
With this, the country will start manufacturing the vaccine, expanding national autonomy and guaranteeing equitable access for the entire population.
Importance of the vaccine
RSV is responsible for around 75% of bronchiolitis cases and 40% of pneumonia in children under two years of age. The vaccine offers immediate protection to newborns, reducing hospitalizations.
In 2025, until November 15, Brazil recorded 43,100 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SRAG) caused by RSV. Of this total, more than 35,500 hospitalizations occurred in children under two years of age, representing 82.5 percent of cases in the period.
As most cases are caused by viral infections, there is no specific treatment for bronchiolitis..
Clinical management includes supportive therapy, oxygen supplementation as needed, hydration, and use of bronchodilators, substances that dilate the small airways, especially when wheezing is evident.
Who should get vaccinated?
The priority group is made up of all pregnant women from the 28th week of pregnancy, without age restrictions. The recommendation is a single dose for each new pregnancy.
With the arrival of doses at Basic Health Units (UBS) and vaccination posts, the Ministry advises teams to update the vaccination status of pregnant women, including influenza and covid-19. The RSV vaccine can be administered simultaneously with these immunizers.
The effectiveness of the strategy has been demonstrated in clinical studies, such as the Matisse Study, which revealed an 81.8% effectiveness in preventing serious respiratory diseases caused by RSV in the first 90 days of babies’ lives.
