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RIO DE JANEIRO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Rio de Janeiro municipal government will establish a year-long vaccination scheme to prevent an outbreak of yellow fever, a health official said here on Monday.
Since the beginning of this year, several cases of yellow fever were registered in urban areas in the state of Minas Gerais, which is located next to Rio de Janeiro state.
So far, only those who will travel to areas where yellow fever cases have been reported are being vaccinated, but in two weeks the government will launch a city-wide vaccination scheme which will last until the end of the year.
The vaccines will be available at all public clinics, Health Secretary Carlos Eduardo de Mattos said.
"Nowadays, we have 40,000 units of the vaccine available to the residents, but in 15 days Rio will receive 1.5 million doses," he added.
"This is a preventive measure, so that the population will remain calm about yellow fever," the secretary said.
In addition, the Rio de Janeiro municipal government is considering a vaccination campaign in schools as well, according to Mayor Marcelo Crivella. There are over 1,500 elementary and middle schools in Rio.
"It is important that the population does not despair. This is a preventive vaccination campaign," Crivella said.
