Thread by @lorenagbarberia

Today our commentary with @leosbastos & @TatiMoraesSousa was published in the #Lancet Regional Health - Americas on school reopening and COVID-19 in Brazil. 1/8 thelancet.com/journals/lanam…

This piece could not be more timely or urgent as we see @minsaude without a plan, or procurement of vaccines for children in Brazil, with the Brazilian president threatening @anvisa_oficial officials after the approval of @pfizer vaccines for children 5-11. 2/8

We draw together on the efforts of researchers to analyze the policies directed at guaranteeing education and health to children and teens during the pandemic. The primary responsibility for failing to protect these groups lies with the federal government. 3/8

@MEC_Comunicacao did not leade efforts to ensure remote learning, and on-site school re-opening protocols were announced late and with inadequate attention to protection. @minsaude did not launch testing campaigns to protect children + families. 4/8

But there are also policies at the state and local level that must be addressed to ensure the protection of children and teens. Surveillance efforts have been minimal during school reopenings. By Feb 21 56% state capitals + 49% states published a structured mitigation plan. 5/8

Furthermore, vaccination has been only authorized in Brazil for adolescents 12 years of age or older since September 2021. Without vaccines for children younger than 11, many states will not reach comprehensive coverage.6/8

SARI data show 605 deaths in children age 0 to 9 and 9,725 hospitalizations in 2020 (6.2% of hospitalized dies). In 2021, 657 deaths + 11,557 children in hospital (5.7% of children hospitalized died).🇧🇷should not be withholding a vaccination rollout to protect children. 7/8

For 10-19 yr olds, 534 deaths, 6,826 hospitalizations, (lethality 7.8% of hospitalized) in 2020. In 2021, 763 deaths, 8,520 hospitalized cases (9.0% of these teens died). The good news, we have vaccines that can prevent these terrible outcomes. 8/8

@obscovid19br @RedePesquisa @Parents_Utd @FamiliasPVida @LongCovidKids @Gender_COVID19 @Dr2NisreenAlwan @trishgreenhalgh @dgurdasani1 @Sandyboots2020 @SafeEdForAll_UK @UNICEFEducation @pahowho

Thanks to all of the researchers and government staff who dedicate themselves to producing the data that make our work possible including @luizgcanta @SchmalzPedro @MairaMeyer @vileladara @fiocruz

@DrTomFrieden @edyong209 @EpiEllie @PeterHotez @londonoe @apoorva_nyc @sneweyy @michaelreid52