Brazil pediatrician urges family vaccination to protect infants

Pediatrician Dr. Heitor Pesca Barbieri warned Brazilian families that keeping all members up‑to‑date on vaccines is essential to safeguard newborns. The advice follows Fiocruz’s InfoGripe bulletin, which reported a rise in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG) cases nationwide, largely driven by increased hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in young children.

Barbieri described the “cocoon” approach, saying, “This attitude of everyone involved creates a safety barrier against dangerous diseases, including bronchiolitis, which has worried families across the country.” He recommended that caretakers and visitors be vaccinated against pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, influenza, RSV and COVID‑19 to reduce viral circulation in households and protect infants whose immune systems are still developing.