Boa Vista, Roraima – A sweeping initiative dubbed “Agosto Dourado” (Golden August) is underway across Roraima state, spearheaded by the State Health Department (Secretaria Estadual de Saúde – SES) and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria – SBP). the campaign,launched on August 1st,aims to significantly boost childhood vaccination rates,which have seen a concerning decline in recent years,mirroring a national trend.

The “Agosto dourado” campaign focuses on administering essential vaccines to children and adolescents up to 15 years of age. Key vaccines included in the program are those protecting against polio, measles, rubella, mumps, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza, and meningococcal diseases. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of updating vaccination cards to ensure complete immunization coverage.

According to data released by the SES on July 29th, vaccination coverage for children under five years old in Roraima has fallen below the recommended 95% threshold for several key diseases. Specifically, measles vaccination coverage stands at 78.5%,polio at 72.2%, and pentavalent vaccine (protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B) at 75.8%. These figures represent a substantial drop compared to 2015, when coverage rates exceeded 98% for all these vaccines.

The decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation circulating on social media, logistical challenges in reaching remote communities within Roraima’s vast territory (covering 224,300 square kilometers), and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which diverted resources and attention from routine immunization programs. Roraima shares borders with Venezuela and Guyana, presenting unique challenges related to cross-border population movement and maintaining consistent vaccination records.

The “Agosto Dourado” campaign is employing a multi-pronged approach to address these challenges. This includes intensified outreach efforts in schools, health centers, and community gatherings, and also mobile vaccination teams deployed to remote Indigenous communities and border areas. The SES is also collaborating with local media outlets and community leaders to disseminate accurate information about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, countering misinformation and promoting vaccine confidence.

Dr. Viviane Ferreira, head of the SES’s Immunization Program, stated, “Our priority is to protect the health of our children and adolescents. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent these serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. We urge all parents and guardians to take their children to the nearest health centre to get vaccinated.”

The campaign is scheduled to run throughout August, with extended hours and weekend vaccination clinics offered at select locations. the SES has allocated an additional R$500,000 (approximately $100,000 USD) to support the “Agosto Dourado” initiative, covering personnel costs, vaccine procurement, and logistical expenses. Residents can find a complete list of vaccination sites and schedules on the SES website: https://roraimaemfoco.com/.

Evergreen Context: The Importance of Childhood Vaccination

Childhood vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, preventing millions of cases of infectious diseases and saving countless lives each year. Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that protect against specific pathogens. Herd immunity, achieved when a sufficiently high percentage of the population is vaccinated, protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants too young to receive certain vaccines or individuals with compromised immune systems.

The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in recent years, both globally and in Brazil, underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage rates. Misinformation about vaccines, often spread through social media, poses a notable threat to public health. Reliable sources of information about vaccines include the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and national health authorities like the Brazilian Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde).