Brazil Fights Low Flu Vaccination Rates with Weekend Drives

Low Flu Vaccination Rates Spur Weekend Drives in Brazil Brazil is facing low flu vaccination rates, prompting several cities to organize mass vaccination campaigns this past Saturday. In Belo Horizonte, vaccination coverage is a mere 45%, while the national average struggles to reach 31%. This comes as the Fiocruz institute warns that 20 Brazilian states face a high risk of a surge in severe flu cases. The Ministry of Health aims for 90% vaccination coverage among the target population (pregnant women, children under six, and the elderly). To boost numbers, cities are setting up vaccination points in high-traffic areas. One resident, interviewed while getting his children vaccinated, said, "It's a busy week, work, chores, and school. So, having the vaccination drive on a Saturday was great." In Belo Horizonte, the city's strategy involves establishing eight vaccination points in public spaces. This initiative aims to improve access for those who may not have time during the week. Another parent, interviewed at a shopping mall drive, stated, "I took advantage of the fact that there's no school and no work to get my whole family vaccinated at once." The low vaccination rate and the high-risk alert issued by Fiocruz underscore the urgent need for increased participation in vaccination drives. The success of these weekend initiatives offers a beacon of hope in the fight against the flu.