Health Minister Nicia Trindade said this Sunday (7) that cases of Covid-19 infection will continue and that it is time to strengthen surveillance, diagnosis, care and vaccination systems.

Minister of Health Nicia Trindade issued a statement this Sunday (7) – Photo: Antonio Cruz/Agência Brasil/ND

According to her, the virus will still mutate, so care must be taken.

“The time has come to step up vaccination. Hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19 occur mainly in people who have not taken the recommended doses of the vaccine,” the minister emphasized on radio and television.

“For this reason, the Ministry of Health, together with the states and municipalities, has been conducting a national Covid-19 booster vaccination movement since February. This is the most effective and safest way to protect our population. We must be united in the name of health, in defense of life,” he added.

Last Friday (5), the WHO (World Health Organization) declared the end of a public health emergency of international concern. “Having gone through such a painful period, our country takes this news with hope,” Nisia said.

“The moment of transition from the state of emergency to the continuation of the confrontation in the framework of the prevention and control of infectious diseases.”

During her speech, the minister recalled that Brazil lost 700,000 lives during the epidemic.

“A different result would have been if the previous government followed the recommendations of science throughout the pandemic. If the obligations of the ruler to protect the population of the country were respected and fulfilled. We cannot forget. We need to preserve this memory in order to build a worthy future,” he stressed.

She thanked the scientists and labs that developed the immunizers, and made special mention of the SUS (United Health System) workers.

“Despite denial, attacks on science and politics of neglect, many lives have been saved thanks to the CPS and the limitless efforts of medical workers,” the minister stressed.

“I thank them on my own behalf and on behalf of President Lula, who, from the first day of our government, has devoted himself to the policy of caring for and strengthening SUS,” Nisia said.

bivalent vaccine

The bivalent vaccine against Covid-19 has already been applied to 13.5 million Brazilians. The data was released by the Ministry of Health this Sunday (7) using data updated to last Friday (5).

According to the folder, it is necessary to be vaccinated with a new vaccine to prevent complications from the disease.

The Pfizer Comirnaty immunizer, which protects against the Ômicron variant, was available for people over 18 who received at least two monovalent doses four months apart after the last dose.

In February, the Ministry of Health launched the National Vaccination Movement to promote the importance of vaccination to the public.