Reflection of vaccination against COVID-19 in pre-hospital care in northeastern cities

Abstract

The Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU), a mobile pre-hospital component, aims to comfort the patient in urgent or emergency situations. In December 2019, researchers isolated a new type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. In 2020, attention was focused on the development of stages of scientific studies with vaccine candidates against the virus. In January 2021, the emergency use of the vaccine was authorized in the country. Research indicates an encouraging immunizing potential, especially in the prevention of serious clinical conditions. The objective of the research was to establish the influence of vaccination against COVID-19 on the profile of pre-hospital SAMU care in cities in the Northeast. This is a cross-sectional observational analytical study. Samples from secondary data from SAMU daily occurrence reports in the years 2020 and 2021 were analyzed. Of the 819,635 calls analyzed, about half were registered in 2021 and the calls related to COVID-19 added up to 12.5% ​​of the total number of victims met. For the years studied, the Maceió service recorded a reduction in the number of incoming calls, unlike Recife; both services had a reduction in the number of medical orientations. It is concluded that the pandemic changed the profile of services provided by SAMU and that vaccination, in Maceió, reduced the number of monthly calls, the number of calls and the number of calls with respiratory complaints. In this way, immunization appears as a pillar for the prevention of serious clinical conditions and less need for emergency services.