Paula Laboissière        Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília – The Ministry of Health says its 2012 Flu Vaccination Campaign (“Campanha Nacional de Vacinação contra a Gripe”), that will run from May 5 to 25, aims to vaccinate 24.1 million, or around 80% of the target public. The target public is specifically a little more than 20 million senior citizens, over the age of 60, and some 4.3 million children between the ages of 6 months and two years. 

This year’s vaccine will provide immunity to three flu strains that circulated in Brazil last year, along with protection from swine flu – H1N1.

The ministry will open 65,000 vaccination stations that will be operated by 240,000 health professionals. The campaign is expected to cost over R$260 million.

Last year’s flu campaign was considered a success. Over 25.1 million people were vaccinated, 84% of the target public. In 2011, there was a 64% reduction in flu deaths in Brazil, compared to 2010.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English

Link - Campanha nacional quer vacinar 24,1 milhões de pessoas contra a gripe