Indigenous Peoples' Vaccination Month aims to protect 72,000 individuals across the country

The Indigenous Peoples' Vaccination Month (Mês de Vacinação dos Povos Indígenas/MVPI) has begun and aims to boost vaccination coverage across Indigenous territories throughout Brazil. The campaign will run until May 24, aiming to vaccinate more than 72,000 individuals. The launch event took place at the Bahia Special Indigenous Health District (Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena/DSEI Bahia), in the municipality of Banzaê, with the participation of the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha. During the event, BRL 8.8 million was announced to strengthen assistance for Indigenous peoples in the state.

The MVPI is part of the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Vaccination Week in the Americas and aims to step up vaccination efforts in Indigenous areas. As a symbolic gesture to encourage vaccination, Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha personally administered influenza vaccines to members of the Indigenous community. The MVPI campaign will run until May 24 across Brazil.

"Today marks the launch of Vaccination Month in the Americas, and in April, we began immunizing all the priority groups. We are also announcing that on May 10, a Saturday, the Ministry of Health will once again hold the National Vaccination Day (D Day) across the country. Unfortunately, the previous government ended the D Day because it was against vaccination. We stand for life," emphasized Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha.

On the occasion, the minister also highlighted the reduction in malaria cases and deaths and announced the full restoration of the Indigenous health budget, focusing on improving and equipping healthcare units.

The MVPI takes place in all 34 Indigenous Sanitary Districts located in the five regions of the country. More than 2,500 health workers are involved in this action. Vaccinating this population requires a great deal of effort, as they live in areas with difficult land access, limited river access during dry periods and areas accessible only by air. For MVPI 2025, more than 72,000 Indigenous people are expected to be vaccinated, with the application of around 96,000 doses of immunizers, which are part of the National Vaccination Calendar. In all, 962 villages will be covered.

Check out the available vaccines:

• Hepatitis A and B;
• Pentavalent (DTP-Hib-HepB);
• Pneumococcal 10-valent;
• IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus);
• HRV (Human Rotavirus);
• Meningococcal C (conjugate);
• Yellow Fever;
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR);
• Tetravalent (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella);
• DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis);
• BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin);
• Quadrivalent HPV (Human Papillomavirus);
• Influenza;
• COVID-19;
• Varicella (monovalent);
• Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY – conjugate);
• Pneumococcal 23-valent (Pneumo 23).

STRENGTHENING ASSISTANCE – The Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, and the Governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues, signed a memorandum of intent and technical report last Friday (25) for the construction of 38 new Indigenous Primary Health Care Units (Unidades Básicas de Saúde Indígena/UBSIs), delivery of around 70 water supply systems, and 10 Mobile Emergency Care Service (Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência/SAMU 192) ambulances, as well as the acquisition of hospital supplies, equipment, and medicines. With an investment of BRL 8.8 million, the measure aims to address the main needs of DISEI Bahia and is expected to benefit approximately 34,700 Indigenous people living in the state’s villages.

In Bahia, the primary healthcare network includes 24 Basic Health Units (UBSIs), 9 base centers, and 38 Indigenous Multidisciplinary Health Teams across 148 villages, providing assistance to 34 ethnic groups in 32 municipalities.

"It is a great satisfaction to be here today, in partnership with the state of Bahia, to announce the construction of new UBSIs, the implementation of specialized care teams, and the delivery of medicines and equipment — strengthening our commitment to the healthcare of Indigenous peoples in the region. While the state will be responsible for the construction, the federal government will invest in hiring more healthcare professionals, Indigenous agents, and multidisciplinary teams to work in these units," stated the Minister Padilha, highlighting the benefits of the agreements signed.

HEALTH AND EQUITY – On April 25 and 26, the DSEI Bahia and the Bahia State Health Department will offer health promotion activities to the Cajazeira community residing in the municipality of Banzaê. The population will have access to dental care, X-ray and ultrasound exams, laboratory tests, rapid STI testing, mammograms, Pap smears, and nutritional counseling.