Yellow Fever Vaccine Runs Out in São Paulo Clinics; Health Posts Have Late Night Waiting Lines

01/16/2018 - 11h47

Increased demand for the vaccine against yellow fever has been causing stocks to run out in many private clinics in São Paulo since Friday, the 12th.

Most of the vaccines provided to private clinics come from the Sanofi Pasteur laboratory, which itself has been confronting capacity problems due to the increase in demand.

In a written communication, the laboratory said that "for the importation process, various sanitary rules must be complied with that require time".

A dose of the vaccine had been priced at around R$ 180 (US$ 56) but the amount could increase after stocks are replenished, depending on the supplier, according to the clinics.

PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORK

In the public health network, high demand for the vaccine has resulted in long lines even in the late night and early morning in São Paulo.

The Municipal Health Secretary had previously declared that there wouldn't be a shortage of the vaccine in the public health network nor any need to show up early to wait in line before the posts open to the public.

At the Emílio Ribas Hospital, however, the waiting list is as long as two months. On Monday afternoon (the 15th), the hospital's customer service page only had appointments available for the 21st of March. Before the shortage, it had been possible to make an appointment for the following day, according to the hospital.

According to the State Health Secretariat, 40 people have contracted yellow fever in the State since January of 2017 and 21 of them have died from related complications.

STATES OF MINAS GERAIS AND RIO DE JANEIRO

In the private care network in Minas Gerais there are few doses available and anyone wanting to be vaccinated should contact a clinic to verify availability before going to be vaccinated.

In Rio de Janeiro, demand for immunization increased significantly last week and clinics are having difficulty refilling their stocks.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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	Nelson Antoine/Folhapress
	Increased demand for the vaccine against yellow fever has been causing stocks to run out in many private clinics in São Paulo