Vaccinal condition of the student population of the S. Paulo University

Abstract

Some aspects regarding the vaccinal situation of students in the various "campi" of the São Paulo University (USP) are presented. At first an inquest was made, by means of a questionnaire which was answered by 13.139 people (42.3% of the total university population). With respect to amallpox immunization, 20% of pupils from upcountry and 30% from São Paulo said they had no vaccination scar; 50% of pupils from upcountry and 75%. from São Paulo said they were vaccinated about 5 years ago and 35% of all of them said that the last vaccination was efficient. About 2/3 of all USP students were not vaccinated against tetanus or did not receive a recognized scheme of immunization. In reference to antimeningococcus immunization, the inquest was done in an upcountry "campi" before the wide official programme of May 1975; in the São Paulo "campus" , the inquest was applied after this event. Because of this, only 17% of hinterland people were said to be already immunized, as against 80% from São Paulo university students. The chosen patterns were absence of smallpox-vaccination scar and utilization of a non-recognized scheme of anti-tetanic vaccination. From 3.113 people examined, 405 received smallpox-vaccine, with 87.3% positive results. As regards antitetanic immunization, 67% of all examined people received the previously approved anatox dose.