Brazil’s national immunisation drive this weekend aims to boost vaccination coverage among children and teenagers, introducing the new Pneumo 20 vaccine amid renewed concerns over measles and other preventable diseases.
Parents and carers in Brazil will have a chance on Saturday, 22 August, to check vaccination records and bring children’s and teenagers’ immunisations up to date during the national multivaccination drive. The Ministry of Health says the campaign is aimed at those under 15 and will run until 1 September, with the country’s main mobilisation day set for this weekend. According to the ministry, the effort is designed to raise coverage and reduce the risk that diseases once brought under control return.
The campaign offers 20 vaccines from the National Immunisation Calendar through basic health units and other vaccination points across the country. Health teams will review each child’s record and recommend the doses needed for their age and vaccination history. Among the diseases targeted are measles, polio, meningitis, tuberculosis, influenza, hepatitis and HPV-related cancers, the ministry said.
A key addition this year is Pneumo 20, the 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine, which was added to the national calendar in June. According to the ministry, it is now available through the public health system for children up to five years old and special groups, and it broadens protection against pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia and meningitis.
The timing of the drive also reflects renewed concern over measles. The Americas have seen a rise in cases, and Brazil has recorded imported infections, even after regaining certification in November 2024 for eliminating endemic transmission. In São Paulo, a focused vaccination push in three municipalities led to more than 529,800 doses of the triple viral vaccine being given between 3 and 14 August, including 87,200 doses for children aged five to 11. The ministry says the aim now is not only to improve coverage, but to close the gaps that leave room for old diseases to return.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
