A new National Measles Vaccination Campaign was launched by the Brazilian Ministry of Health on February 12th. The goal is for over three million children and young adults between the ages of five and 19 to be vaccinated by March 13th. According to the agency, 3.9 million vaccine doses were handed out to states in Brazil (find out more below).

The goal of the campaign is to get more young people vaccinated, and, thus, prevent measles from spreading. The disease is highly contagious – an infected person can contaminate up to 18 people – and the vaccine is the best way to be protected from the virus.

The Ministry of Health plans to hold two more vaccination campaigns during the year: one between June and August for people aged 20 to 29, and another one in August for people aged 30 to 59.

In 2019, Brazil recorded 15,914 cases of measles, an increase of 54% in relation to the number of recorded infections in 2018 (10,330 cases). The state with the highest number of infections was São Paulo, with 14,239 confirmed cases of the disease. Paraná state follows with 594 cases, and then Rio de Janeiro state with 253.

What is measles?
The disease is caused by a virus that is transmitted from person to person. Transmission occurs when someone who is sick coughs, speaks, sneezes, or breathes next to someone else. In some cases, it can even lead to death.

What are the main symptoms?
– Red spots on the skin
– Discomfort
– Fever
– Cough
– Runny or congested nose
– Irritation in the eyes

Where can one get vaccinated?
It is possible to get vaccinated for free in public health centres across the country. Additionally, private clinics also carry the vaccine – in this case, one must pay.

Attention!
People between the age of one and 29 need to get two doses of the vaccine. Ask your parents or guardians to check your vaccination records and see if you have had all the required doses.

Questions

1) Which argument is used in the text to show that the disease is contagious?
a) “The Ministry of Health plans to hold two more vaccination campaigns.”
b) “An infected person can contaminate up to 18 people.”
c) The state with the highest number of  infections was São Paulo.
d) “3.9 million doses were handed out to states in Brazil”.

2) According to the text, how is measles transmitted?

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