Salvador Expands Free Hepatitis Vaccination and Introduces Digital Access to Hyperbaric Treatment

The municipal health department of Salvador, Brazil, has launched a free vaccination campaign against hepatitis A and B, operating through 162 vaccination rooms located in 116 Family Health Units and 46 Basic Health Units, with an additional permanent site at Salvador Shopping. Vaccinations are offered Monday to Friday, 8 am–5 pm, and the program targets groups defined by the National Immunization Program. In the first half of 2024 the city recorded 215 cases of viral hepatitis, mainly hepatitis C, followed by hepatitis B and A, reflecting ongoing public‑health concerns.

In parallel, Salvador’s health authorities have digitised the request process for evaluation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Patients with a medical referral can now submit required documents through the Salvador Digital portal, allowing the Directorate of Regulation, Control and Evaluation to assess eligibility without the need for in‑person visits. The service is intended for complex wound cases such as diabetic foot ulcers, chronic wounds, osteomyelitis, radiation injuries, burns, crush injuries, graft complications, gas gangrene and necrotizing fasciitis, aiming to improve access and speed up treatment decisions.