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This study searched grey literature and PubMed for strategies to sustain the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome and prevent their reintroduction in the Caribbean. Strategies were categorized at the macro, meso, and micro health levels. Macro strategies include: strong, clear, unified political and technical leadership and support; country ownership and subregional coordination of resources, policies, and programs; government investment in national immunization programs; and timely payment to the Pan American Health Organization Revolving Fund for affordable, good-quality vaccines. Including the private health sector and health workers in the tourism industry to identify and manage suspected imported cases, and finding and vaccinating every unvaccinated child, university student or frontline worker are key meso strategies. Strong social and communication programs are the key micro strategies needed to promote vaccine confidence and gain public trust. Priority macro strategies include a strengthened legislative framework supporting immunization, and policies to ring-fence the immunization budget, mitigate the rapid turnover of staff, and train new immunization managers. Establishing infrastructure to vaccinate adolescents and adults, including through the private sector, increasing the capacity to test for measles and rubella, and updating digital surveillance systems for timely decision-making are also critical meso strategies to prevent the reintroduction of these diseases. Partnerships, commitment, and collaborative efforts that contribute to elimination must be sustained, and health strategies strengthened to keep the Caribbean free of endemic transmission of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome.

Measles and rubella have long been recognized as priorities for disease prevention because of their devastating consequences for child health; hence, all World Health Organization (WHO) regions currently have a goal to eliminate measles and four out of six WHO regions have a goal to eliminate rubella. Significant global progress has been made in the twenty-first century, with more than 40% of countries in the world verified by a Regional Verification Commission as having eliminated measles and more than 50% of countries having sustained rubella elimination. Making further progress will require addressing fundamental gaps in health systems, a particular challenge in the current global context where many countries face multiple barriers to both sustaining and achieving measles and rubella elimination. These challenges require a strategic shift toward a holistic approach that embeds immunization at the center of primary health care at all levels, which will have broad benefits beyond preventing measles and rubella. Progress will be supported through technological innovations such as microarray patch vaccines. Whether this holistic approach will be more effective than vertical initiatives at achieving measles and rubella elimination remains to be seen. Measles is so infectious and its immediate impact so visible on individuals and health systems that any weaknesses in global or national strategy are immediately evident. The tools exist to prevent every death from measles and every case of congenital rubella syndrome. Countries and partners – at all levels – share accountability for ensuring children are protected from these entirely preventable diseases.

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop and validate indicators for the evaluation of computerized systems in vaccination rooms. Methods: Methodological study. From the construction of a logical model for managing information produced in computerized systems in vaccination rooms, an evaluation indicator matrix was developed, and its contents were validated by specialists using the Delphi method. The degree of relevance and clarity were judged, using the following parameters: agreement percentage ≥ 90%; content validity index > 0.78. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.93. Results: Of the 55 proposed indicators, 48 were validated and composed the final matrix, with 13 in the structure dimension, 29 in the process dimension, and six in the outcome dimension. Conclusion: The set of indicators shows validity and high reliability, and can be used to evaluate computerized systems in vaccination rooms throughout the country, as it adhered to the recommendations of the National Immunization Program.

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate vaccination coverage in children born between 2017-2018, living in urban areas of state capitals, the Federal District and 12 inland municipalities in Brazil, and to identify associated factors. Methods This was a household survey conducted between 2020-2022, among children up to 24 months old. Vaccination coverage was estimated according to family, maternal and child characteristics. Results Among the 37,801 children in the sample, complete coverage (doses administered) was 60.1% (95%CI 58.6;61.6) and 6.1% (95%CI 5.4;7.0) had not received any vaccines. Coverage was lower among children of mothers with lower level of education (OR = 0.70; 95%CI 0.54;0.90) and in those who experienced delays in receiving any vaccine by 6 months old (OR = 0.28; 95%CI 0.24;0.32). Conclusion Vaccination coverage is below the expected levels. Effective communication strategies are needed to reinforce the importance of routine vaccination, prevent delays and abandonment of the vaccination schedule, in order to recover the high coverage levels achieved in past decades.

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate vaccination coverage and analyze sociodemographic factors associated with non-vaccination in children born in 2017 and 2018 in the state capitals of Northeast Brazil. Methods A household survey using cluster sampling was conducted from 2020-2022 to estimate vaccination coverage and hesitancy. Factors associated with non-vaccination were analyzed using logistic regression to calculate Odds Ratios (OR) and their Confidence Intervals (95%CI). Results Natal was the capital with the lowest vaccination coverage, below 75.0% for most immunizers. Teresina had rates equal to or greater than 90.0% for all vaccines. Among those interviewed, 99.1% (95%CI 98.9;99.3) believe that vaccines are important for health; 95.4% (95%CI 95.0;95.8) trust immunobiologicals and 79.6% (95%CI% 78.8;80.3) are not afraid of reactions. Belonging to the highest socioeconomic stratum (adjusted OR: 1.34 – 95%CI 1.20;1.50) was as a factor associated with non-vaccination. Conclusion Low coverage highlights the need for a better understanding of regional specificities and social inequalities.

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate vaccination coverage, identify barriers and hesitancy to vaccinating children up to 24 months, born between 2017-2018, living in the urban area of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Methods Population survey carried out from 2020 to 2021, which assessed sociodemographic characteristics and vaccination status among children. Results Among 451 included children, vaccination coverage was below 80%. Meningococcal C vaccine had the lowest coverage for administered doses (76.3%; 95%CI 70.5;81.3) and doses on time (27.4%; 95%CI 23.1;32.1). The statements “vaccines cause serious adverse reactions” (26.4%; 95%CI 18.1;36.8) and “you don’t need vaccination for diseases that no longer exist” (22%; 95%CI 15.7;29.8) were the most frequent regarding vaccination hesitancy. Lack of vaccines was the main barrier to care (86.6%; 95%CI 71.8;94.3). Conclusion Vaccination coverage in children born in 2017-2018 was below the target recommended for the full schedule of administered doses, both valid and timely administered.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze full vaccination coverage in live births in 2017 and 2018 in the capitals of the Midwest region of Brazil, according to social strata. Methods Population-based household survey with cluster sampling. Full coverage in children at 12 and 24 months of age and sociodemographic factors were analyzed. Results 5,715 children were analyzed. Full coverage at 12 months of age was 67.9% (95%CI 65.4;70.4), while at 24 months it was 48.2% (95%CI 45.3;51.1). Pneumococcal vaccine had the highest vaccination coverage (91.3%), while the second dose of rotavirus vaccine had the lowest (74.2%). In Campo Grande, no vaccine reached coverage above 90%, with BCG (82.9%) and hepatitis B (82.1%) standing out. Campo Grande and Brasília had the worst vaccination coverage in the high social stratum (24 months of age). Conclusion Vaccination coverage in the Midwest was below 80%, falling short of the recommended target and associated with socioeconomic factors.

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate hepatitis A vaccination coverage in 24-month-old children and identify factors associated with non-vaccination. Methods This was a survey involving a sample stratified by socioeconomic strata in capital cities (2020-2022), with coverage estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), the factor analysis was performed using the prevalence ratio (PR) by means of Poisson regression. Results Among 31,001 children, hepatitis A coverage was 88.1% (95%CI 86.8;89.2). Regarding socioeconomic strata (A/B), the variable immigrant parents/guardians was associated with non-vaccination (PR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.09;3.37); in strata C/D, children of Asian race/skin color (PR = 4.69; 95%CI 2.30;9.57), fourth-born child or later (PR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.06;2 .66), not attending daycare/nursery (PR = 1.67; 95%CI 1.24;2.24) and mother with paid work (PR = 1.42; 95%CI 1.16;1.74) were associated with non-vaccination. Conclusion Hepatitis A coverage was below the target (95%), suggesting that specificities of social strata should be taken into consideration.

ABSTRACT Objective: to map scientific evidence about perceptions, beliefs, knowledge and attitudes of parents or legal guardians of children under 5 years of age regarding routine childhood vaccination. Methods: a scoping review, conducted in accordance with the JBI framework. The searches were carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and LILACS databases. A total of 5,535 studies were returned and 77 were selected, which met the inclusion criteria. Results: perceptions related to interaction with healthcare professionals and services, with family organization and structure, with social interaction and public policies, cultural, religious and personal beliefs, knowledge about vaccination schedule, vaccination and immunization process and sources of information are the main factors mapped and which can positively or negatively influence parents’ or legal guardians’ attitudes towards vaccinating children. Conclusions: the findings allow us to identify factors related to parents’ perception and beliefs about childhood vaccination.

Objective: to correlate COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates in elderly people before and after vaccination. Methods: an ecological study with data collected from the official platforms of the State Data Analysis System Foundation and the Prefeitura Municipal de Araraquara (Araraquara City Hall). The data was analyzed using a regression model with a negative binomial distribution and a logarithmic link function. We analyzed 3,188 COVID-19 records in people aged 60 or over, of which 3,137 were eligible for analysis. Results: there was a significant reduction in the incidence of the disease among vaccinated-aged people. No significant differences were observed in the mortality coefficient; however, there was a 67.7% decline in deaths when comparing the periods. Conclusion: the findings indicate a correlation between the vaccination of older individuals and the reduction in COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates, thereby demonstrating and underscoring the significance of adhering to vaccinations. Contributions to practice include the expansion of the theoretical framework regarding the significance of vaccination in reducing morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, particularly in the elderly population. This is especially important considering the endemicity of the disease and the unlimited availability of false information.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe vaccination coverage and hesitation for the basic children’s schedule in Belo Horizonte and Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Methods Population-based epidemiological surveys performed from 2020 to 2022, which estimated vaccine coverage by type of immunobiological product and full schedule (valid and ministered doses), according to socioeconomic strata; and reasons for vaccination hesitancy. Results Overall coverage with valid doses and vaccination hesitancy for at least one vaccine were, respectively, 50.2% (95%CI 44.1;56.2) and 1.6% (95%CI 0.9;2.7), in Belo Horizonte (n = 1,866), and 64.9% (95%CI 56.9;72.1) and 1.0% (95%CI 0.3;2.8), in Sete Lagoas (n = 451), with differences between socioeconomic strata. Fear of severe reactions was the main reason for vaccination hesitancy. Conclusion Coverage was identified as being below recommended levels for most vaccines. Disinformation should be combated in order to avoid vaccination hesitancy. There is a pressing need to recover coverages, considering public health service access and socioeconomic disparities.

Objective. To provide an overview of the status of the childhood vaccination schedule in the Americas, outline program structures, and identify updated implementation strategies to improve vaccination coverage following the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A group of experts in pediatrics, epidemiology, vaccines, and global and public health discussed the current status of the childhood vaccination schedule in the Americas, describing the program structure and identifying new implementation strategies that have the potential to improve vaccination coverage in the post-pandemic context, after the challenges COVID-19 presented for more than two years. Results. The Americas currently face a high risk of resurgence of diseases that were previously controlled or eliminated. Therefore, it is important to find new strategies to educate citizens on the risks associated with lower vaccination rates, especially in children. Conclusions. New strategies along with strong mobilization of the population and advocacy by citizens are necessary to prevent antivaccination groups from gaining a stronger presence in the region and jeopardizing the credibility of the Expanded Program on Immunization.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated whether there were differences in vaccination coverage rates between municipalities with different vaccination strategies regarding the species and the coverage rates during different day periods. The vaccination period was categorized as M1 (morning; 09h00 am - 11h00 am), M2 (morning/afternoon; 11h00 am - 01h00 pm), M3 (afternoon; 01h00 pm - 03h00 pm), and M4 (afternoon; 03h00 pm - 05h00 pm). A repeated measures model compared the vaccination rate between periods and municipalities. The interaction between time and municipality was statistically significant (P < 0.01), indicating that the vaccination rate difference between periods depended on the municipality analyzed. Results of the difference between proportions analysis revealed that municipality B vaccinated 3.3% (2.2%-4.4%, 95% confidence limits) less dogs and 20.1% (17.9%-22.4%, 95% confidence limits) less cats than the municipality A. In municipality A, the vaccination rate in period M1 was higher than in periods M3 (P = 0.07) and M4 (P < 0.01). The vaccination rate was higher in M2 than in M4 (P < 0.01). In municipality B, the vaccination rate in period M1 was higher than in M2 (P = 0.01). The vaccination rate in M2 was lower than that observed in M3 (P = 0.01) and M4 (P = 0.01). Based on these results, mass vaccination campaigns have better results during the week, with the highest vaccination rate at lunchtime.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the vaccination coverage and abandonment rates among children under two years old in Brazil, from 2015 to 2021. Methods: A time-series ecological study. The dependent variables of the research were "vaccination coverage" and "abandonment rate", both assessed by Brazilian region. The data were extracted in July 2022 from the Information System of the National Immunization Program. The Prais-Winsten technique was used for the trend analysis, with the aid of the STATA 16.0 software. Results: The mean vaccination coverage in Brazil was 76.96%, with a decreasing trend during the period (Annual Percent Change=-5.12; confidence interval — CI95% -7.81; -2.34); in 2015, the rate was 88.85% and it dropped to 62.35% in 2021. In turn, the overall abandonment rate was 24.00% in 2015 and 9.01% in 2021, with a mean of 10.48% and a stationary trend (Annual Percentage Change=-9.54; CI95% -22.92; 6.12). In 2021, all the vaccines presented coverage values below 74.00% in the country. Conclusions: The vaccination coverage rate trend among children under two years old was stationary or decreasing for all the immunobiologicals in all Brazilian regions, with the exception of yellow fever in the South and Southeast regions. There was an increase in the abandonment rate trend for the Meningococcal C vaccine in the country and, specifically in relation to the regions, for BCG in the North, Northeast, and Midwest and for Meningococcal C in the North and Northeast.

ABSTRACT The immunization campaign against COVID-19 started in Brazil in January 2021 after strong pressure from society on the federal government, which had created a series of ideological obstacles against vaccines, especially those produced with Chinese inputs. This article analyzes the impact of far-right ideology on the spatial distribution of vaccine coverage against COVID-19 in Brazilian municipalities. By means of hierarchical models, it was identified that, maintaining constant socio-demographic characteristics and the structures of the Unified Health System, the degree of bolsonarismo in the municipalities had a negative impact on the coverage rates of the first, second and, especially, of the third dose.

Objective: to identify factors associated with adherence to the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Method: cross-sectional and analytical study with 348 postpartum women in shared accommodation at the Municipal Maternities of Recife-PE. Data was collected through interviews during the months of June to September 2022. Pearson’s Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact tests and the Poisson regression model were applied for statistical analysis. Results: 17.2% of pregnant women adhered to the complete vaccination schedule, and adherence was associated with access to the internet/TV/radio (p-value = 0.011), routine prenatal vaccination (p-value = 0.019), safety of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and partner support (p-value = 0.020). Postpartum women without access to the internet/TV/radio, and who feel confident about the effectiveness of the vaccine, had higher prevalence rates for adhering to COVID-19 vaccination, with PRs of 2.56 and 3.25, respectively. Conclusion: there was evidence of low adherence to the vaccination schedule against COVID-19 during the gestational period, considering the number of recommended doses and the interval between them. Therefore, professionals in their clinical practice must make pregnant women aware of the importance of immunization and compliance with the vaccination schedule.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES To identify the possible causes of low adherence to vaccination campaigns in Brazil, find and analyze campaigns regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) in Brazil and abroad, and apply quality tools to prepare proposals to increase vaccination coverage (VC) and prevent HPV in the country. METHOD This is a qualitative and deductive-hypothetical research. A narrative review of the literature (especially on the narratives and formats applied in vaccination campaigns in Brazil) was the technique used to develop our method. RESULTS Brazil had a 49.6% VC in 2019, unlike countries such as Australia (80.2% in 2017), Mexico (97.5% in 2019), and Peru (91% in 2019). This study found evidence of the use of social marketing strategies to engage communities as good practices in the vaccination campaigns of these countries. CONCLUSION With the retrieved information, three quality tools (Ishikawa diagram, Pareto graph, and 5W2H) classified and quantified the causes of low VC in Brazil and enabled proposals that can direct its Ministry of Health to take more effective strategies to achieve the HPV VC goal recommended by the WHO.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the temporal trends in vaccination coverage (VC) during the first year of life of children in Brazil. Methods: Data on VC for the first year of life from 2011 to 2020 for Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), hepatitis B, polio, pentavalent, and triple viral vaccines at the national, regional, and state levels were obtained from the Information System of the National Immunization Program. Trends were analyzed using Prais-Winsten generalized linear regression models and average annual percent change (APC) estimates. Results: Decreasing trends were observed for the BCG (APC −3.58%; p0.05). During the study period, no increasing trends were observed in any territory or vaccine. Conclusions: This study shows a recent significant reduction and decreasing trends in VC during the first year of life of children in Brazil, indicating the need for interventions to curb this ongoing phenomenon and to recover acceptable VC rates in the country.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the spatial behavior of hepatitis A, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), and varicella vaccination coverage in children and its relationship with socioeconomic determinants in the state of Minas Gerais. Methods: This ecological study investigated records of doses administered to children, extracted from the Immunization Information System of 853 municipalities in Minas Gerais, in 2020. We analyzed the vaccination coverage and socioeconomic factors. Spatial scan statistics were used to identify spatial clusters and measure the relative risk based on the vaccination coverage indicator and the Bivariate Moran Index, and thus detect socioeconomic factors correlated with the spatial distribution of vaccination. We used the cartographic base of the state and its municipalities and the ArcGIS and SPSS software programs. Results: Hepatitis A (89.0%), MMR (75.7%), and varicella (89.0%) showed low vaccination coverage. All vaccines analyzed had significant clusters. The clusters most likely to vaccinate their population were mainly located in the Central, Midwest, South Central, and Northwest regions, while the least likely were in the North, Northeast, and Triângulo do Sul regions. The municipal human development index, urbanization rate, and gross domestic product were spatially dependent on vaccination coverage. Conclusions: The spatial behavior of hepatitis A, MMR, and varicella vaccination coverage is heterogeneous and associated with socioeconomic factors. We emphasize that vaccination records require attention and should be continuously monitored to improve the quality of information used in services and research.

The objectives were to estimate hepatitis A virus seroprevalence in subjects attending to a travel medicine and immunization clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to develop a prediction model for hepatitis A virus seroprevalence. This retrospective research included individuals sequentially from April 2011 to June 2019 at a travel medicine and special population immunization clinic with an anti-hepatitis A virus IgG chemiluminescence result. Participants’ data were verified via electronic medical records. Data were split into development and validation set taking 2018 as the date break. A cross-validated elastic generalized linear model with binomial distribution was performed. In total, 2,944 subjects were analyzed. Hepatitis A virus overall seroprevalence was 67.8%. Health professionals, travelers, and those who had contact with immunocompromised subjects had lower seroprevalence (40%-55%), whereas subjects with chronic conditions (heart, lung, and liver) ranged from 89% to 94%. The retained predictors in the final model were sex, age, year of birth, travelers, HIV/AIDS, spleen dysfunction, transplant candidates, household communicators, cancer-related immunosuppression, health care professionals. Area under the curve was 0.836 and maximum error was 0.051. Users can make predictions with the following calculator: https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/. The groups with lower seroprevalence should be evaluated more carefully regarding need for hepatitis A virus vaccination even when they seek immunization clinics for other purposes.

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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the number of yellow fever vaccine doses administered before and during the covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. METHODS This is an ecological, time series study based on data from the National Immunization Program. Differences between the median number of yellow fever vaccine doses administered in Brazil and in its regions before (from April/2019 to March/2020) and after (from April/2020 to March/2021) the implementation of social distancing measures in the country were assessed via the Mann-Whitney test. Prais-Winsten regression models were used for time series analyses. RESULTS We found a reduction in the median number of yellow fever vaccine doses administered in Brazil and in its regions: North (-34.71%), Midwest (-21.72%), South (-63.50%), and Southeast (-34.42%) (p < 0.05). Series showed stationary behavior in Brazil and in its five regions during the covid-19 pandemic (p > 0.05). Brazilian states also showed stationary trends, except for two states which recorded an increasing trend in the number of administered yellow fever vaccine doses, namely: Alagoas State (before: β = 64, p = 0.081; after: β = 897, p = 0.039), which became a yellow fever vaccine recommendation zone, and Roraima State (before: β = 68, p = 0.724; after: β = 150, p = 0.000), which intensified yellow fever vaccinations due to a yellow fever case confirmation in a Venezuelan State in 2020. CONCLUSION The reduced number of yellow fever vaccine doses administered during the covid-19 pandemic in Brazil may favor the reemergence of urban yellow fever cases in the country.

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Influenza is a severe, vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccination programs across Latin American countries show contrasting coverage rates, from 29% in Paraguay to 89% in Brazil. This study explores how national influenza vaccination programs in the chosen South American countries address vaccine confidence and convenience, as well as complacency toward the disease. Barriers and facilitators to influenza vaccination programs in their relation to vaccine hesitancy were observed by documentary analysis and interviews with 38 national immunization program officers in high- (Brazil and Chile) and low-performing (Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) countries. Influenza vaccination policies, financing, purchasing, coordination, and accessibility are considered good or acceptable. National communication strategies focus on vaccine availability during campaigns. In Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, anti-vaccine propaganda was mentioned as a problem. Programming and implementation face human resource shortages across most countries. Statistical information, health information systems, and nominal risk-group records are available, with limitations in Peru and Paraguay. Health promotion, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation are perceived as opportunities to address confidence and complacency. Influenza vaccination programs identify and act on most barriers and facilitators affecting influenza vaccine hesitancy via supply-side strategies which mostly address vaccine convenience. Confidence and complacency are insufficiently addressed, except for Uruguay. Programs have the opportunity to develop integral supply and demand-side approaches.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Defining priority vaccination groups is a critical factor to reduce mortality rates. METHODS We sought to identify priority population groups for covid-19 vaccination, based on in-hospital risk of death, by using Extreme Gradient Boosting Machine Learning (ML) algorithm. We performed a retrospective cohort study comprising 49,197 patients (18 years or older), with RT-PCR-confirmed for covid-19, who were hospitalized in any of the 336 Brazilian hospitals considered in this study, from March 19th, 2020, to March 22nd, 2021. Independent variables encompassed age, sex, and chronic health conditions grouped into 179 large categories. Primary outcome was hospital discharge or in-hospital death. Priority population groups for vaccination were formed based on the different levels of in-hospital risk of death due to covid-19, from the ML model developed by taking into consideration the independent variables. All analysis were carried out in Python programming language (version 3.7) and R programming language (version 4.05). RESULTS Patients’ mean age was of 60.5 ± 16.8 years (mean ± SD), mean in-hospital mortality rate was 17.9%, and the mean number of comorbidities per patient was 1.97 ± 1.85 (mean ± SD). The predictive model of in-hospital death presented area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC - ROC) equal to 0.80. The investigated population was grouped into eleven (11) different risk categories, based on the variables chosen by the ML model developed in this study. CONCLUSIONS The use of ML for defining population priorities groups for vaccination, based on risk of in-hospital death, can be easily applied by health system managers

Introduction: Public health information is essential for decision-making in the public policy context, therefore considered a basic tool for phenomenon interpretation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the Immunization Information System by nursing professionals. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with nursing professionals in a municipality in the Western Macro-region of Minas Gerais State by means of a validated checklist. For analysis, a scoring system was used to rate their use of the information system as appropriate, partially appropriate, not appropriate and critical. The median was used as a summary measure for descriptive analysis and Pearson's chi-square test was used to assess comparisons. Results: Out of 104 participating nurses, 14.4% reported having used records for vaccination information management; 93.3% performed vaccine inventory management, which was the only activity classified as appropriate; preparation of reports listing missed doses (39.4%), vaccination coverage (36.5%) and dissemination of consolidated reports (17.3%) were classified as critical. No statistically significant differences were found between the variables studied. Discussion: Underutilizing information systems has consequences for vaccination services, such as low vaccination coverage and variation in dropout rates, as well as hindering planning and decision making by vaccination center managers. Conclusions: Managing data in information systems should be recognized by healthcare professionals as a necessary, functional and applicable piece of the work process performed in vaccination centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Eletrônica de Enfermagem is the property of Revista Eletronica de Enfermagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Saúde Coletiva is the property of MPM Comunicacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We analyzed the spatial relation between incomplete vaccine coverage for children and the distance from vaccination services. This was a cross-sectional study of children from 13 to 35 months of age from the cities of São Luís (Maranhão State) and Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo State), Brazil, and from basic health units (UBS, in Portuguese). The sample consisted of 2,744 children from São Luís and 3,325 from Ribeirão Preto. Data about incomplete vaccine coverage for children were obtained from the BRISA birth cohorts. Data about the quality of UBS vaccination services were obtained from the first cycle of the Brazilian National Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ-AB, in Portuguese). For the spatial analysis, we determined the distance between the residence of the children (with and without a complete vaccine calendar) and the vaccination services of the UBS (classified according to number of structural items). Incomplete vaccine coverage was more pronounced in São Luís, with greater percentages for human rotavirus and triple viral vaccines, with the latter being the least available. In Ribeirão Preto, incomplete BCG vaccine coverage was more pronounced, with the tetravalent vaccine being the least available. Children from the two cities showed similarities: most of them had adult mothers with 9 to 11 years of schooling and did not reside with siblings in the household. They also showed differences: in São Luís, most mothers belonged to the economic class C, while in Ribeirão Preto they belong to the A and B classes. In the two cities with different socioeconomic conditions, complete vaccine coverage seemed not to depend on the location or quality of the vaccination service. Although São Luís showed a better structure of the services, incomplete vaccine coverage was higher compared to Ribeirão Preto.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate sociodemographic factors associated with the willingness to take the pandemic influenza vaccine. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of Brazilian civil servants participating in the fourth wave (2012–2013) of the longitudinal Pró-Saúde Study. Associations were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), estimated by multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Among 2,828 participants, 15.9% would not be willing to vaccinate in the future if the Brazilian Ministry of Health promoted a new vaccination campaign against pandemic influenza. Not willing to vaccinate in the future was strongly associated with not taking the pandemic influenza vaccine in 2010 (OR = 9.0, 95%CI 6.9 – 11.6). Among the unvaccinated, females, those aged > 60 years, and non-health care workers were less willing to vaccinate in the future. Again, in the vaccinated group, females were less willing to vaccinate. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary efforts should be encouraged in order to identify reasons for refusing vaccination, focusing on the individual and group perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers to vaccination. Such information is needed to identify target groups for the delivery of customized interventions towards preventing emerging pandemics, such as avian influenza and COVID-19.

Measles is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population and it can be prevented with 100% effectiveness by vaccination. However, the disease remains active in throughout Brazil. The scope of this article is to evaluate the population's adherence to vaccination and the potential connection with hospitalizations and mortality in relation to measles in Brazil. This is an ecological study based on secondary data on mortality and hospitalizations due to measles and vaccination coverage against the disease in Brazil from 2013 to 2022. The peak of adherence to the measles vaccination schedule occurred in the 3 years that preceded the eradication of the disease in the country, which occurred in 2016. In this interval, there are the lowest hospitalization rates, with zero mortality from 2014 to 2017. On the other hand, there has been a marked drop in vaccination rates since 2019, when the disease resurfaced in Brazil. Concomitantly, hospitalization and mortality rates reach the highest recorded values. Population adherence to the complete measles vaccination schedule, which is essential to control the disease and related deaths, is insufficient, which is reflected in hospitalization and mortality rates.

ABSTRACT Due to social distancing guidelines and the displacement of both human and material resources to fight the covid-19 pandemic, individuals seeking healthcare services face certain challenges. Immunization programs have already been a worrisome topic for health authorities due to declines in vaccine uptake rates and are now especially affected by the covid-19 pandemic. Disbelief in science, dissemination of fake news about vaccines, socioeconomic vulnerability and social inequality are some of the challenges faced. This commentary article discusses the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic on immunization programs in Brazil. In light of advances (and notability) of Brazil's national immunization program, established in the 1970s, the programs face challenges, such as the recent drop in vaccine uptake rates. In addition to this health crisis, there is also Brazil's current political crisis, which will undoubtedly require assistance from researchers, policymakers and society to be fixed.

ABSTRACT Since March 2020, Brazil has faced the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), which has severely modified the way in which the population lives and uses health services. As such, face-to-face attendance has dropped dramatically, even for child vaccination, due to measures of social distancing to mitigate the transmission of the virus. Several countries have recorded a substantial drop in vaccination coverage in children, especially of those under two years of age. In Brazil, administrative data indicate the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on this downward trend, which was already an important challenge of the National Immunization Program in recent years. Many children will be susceptible to immunopreventable diseases, which reinforces the need to assess the vaccine status of schoolchildren before returning to face-to-face classes.

Objective: to analyze the acceptance and use of the Information System of the National Immunization Program in primary health care vaccination rooms. Method: a unique case study of a qualitative approach in the light of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Data collection included an interview with 18 professionals responsible for the implementation of the information system, observation of vaccination rooms in 12 municipalities of the West Macro-region of Minas Gerais, selected from a preliminary study. Data was systematized and analyzed through Content Analysis. Results: the interviewees are satisfied with the usefulness and ease of the system usage, but do not have the same satisfaction with the organizational infrastructure due to the lack of computers and low Internet connectivity in the health units, as well as with the incipient training for the use of the information system and the lack of skills with the technology among the human resources. Conclusion: nursing professionals perceive advantages in the acceptance and use of the Information System of the National Immunization Program. It was clear that the vaccinated individual’s history control and the decrease of records in paper are evidenced as facilitators of this acceptance. The system was considered reliable and secure.

Objective. To measure the effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV13) against Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) and invasive pneumococcal disease, 2 years after the vaccine (2+1) was included into the National Immunization Program of Argentina, and to describe variables associated with bacterial pneumonia and hospitalization. Methods. This was a prospective, population-based surveillance study of CAP incidence (ambulatory and hospitalized) among children less than 5 years of age in the Department of Concordia (Entre Rios, Argentina) from April 2014 – March 2016. The diagnosis of probable bacterial pneumonia (PBP) was determined following the standardized WHO protocol. Incidence during the post-vaccine introduction period was compared with the results from a previous study that used similar methodology for the pre-PCV13 introduction period from 2002 – 2005. Results. During the study period, 330 patients had a clinical diagnosis of CAP, of which 92 were PBP (6 with pleural effusion). S. pneumoniae was not isolated from any sample. No factors associated with PBP were found in multivariable analysis. The decrease in PBP and pleural effusion was significant in relation to the previous study: 63% (P < 0.0001) and 80.9% (P < 0.003), respectively. PCV13 uptake was 97.3% for the 1st dose and 84.8% for the booster dose. Conclusions. PCV13 was effective to reduce incidence of consolidated pneumonia and pleural effusion, among children less than 5 years of age in Concordia, Argentina. Vaccination is a very effective public health strategy for reducing vaccine preventable diseases, with impact on burden of disease and hospitalization.

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Copyright of Enfermagem Brasil is the property of Atlantica Editora and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To evaluate immunization coverage and dropout rates of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine across Brazilian regions., Methods: This ecological study employing a space-time approach used data from the National Immunization Program (PNI) and the Live Births Information System (SINASC). We estimated the annual variation (2014 to 2021) in immunization coverage and dropout rate of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in children aged 12 and 15 months in the 5 570 Brazilian municipalities. Statistical analysis was conducted for the municipalities contained in each Brazilian region using the space-time scan technique, considering the Poisson probabilistic model and the hypothesis that municipalities with lower immunization coverage or high dropout rates would form space-time clusters., Results: From 2014 to 2021, 38.3% and 12.9% of municipalities achieved a coverage ≥ 95.0% in the first and second doses respectively; 53.6% of municipalities had a high dropout rate (20.0% to 49.9%) and 37.2% had a very high dropout rate. The Northeast region had primary clusters for low coverage of the first (2018 to 2021) and second vaccine doses (2020 to 2021) with higher relative risks (RR) compared to other primary clusters. The RR for high dropout rate was elevated in all Brazilian regions (1.57 to 26.23)., Conclusions: In some Brazilian regions, the dropout rate has been high since 2014, signaling a risk of measles resurgence. In turn, space-time analysis indicated lower vaccination coverage in 2020, suggesting the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: Conflitos de interesse. Nada declarado pelos autores.

Introduction: The role of healthcare professionals is crucial in providing vaccination information and reassuring pregnant women about the safety and benefits of immunization for mothers and children. The lack of immunobiological recommendation may be associated with difficulties in clinical indication and contraindication, management of side effects and adverse reactions to immunobiologicals, and lack of professional training. Additionally, the lack of measuring instruments for healthcare in the vaccination room is the rationale behind the elaboration and validation of tools for this purpose. Objective: To elaborate and validate the content and layout of an instrument that evaluates the knowledge of healthcare professionals on vaccinations for pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A methodological study was conducted for the elaboration of a measuring instrument. The Delphi Technique was used to validate the content and layout of the elements. The Content Validity Index (CVI) and the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) were used to calculate the degree of agreement between raters. To get the instrument score, in addition to the items of the evaluation of knowledge, a scoring criteria scale was also sent to the raters to evaluate the knowledge of the professionals based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health on vaccinations for pregnant women. Results: All the items of the instrument obtained a variable CVI between 90% and 100% and a CVR between 0.7 and 1.0, confirming the validity of the content. Discussion and Conclusions: The instrument showed a satisfactory content validity index, which can be used to evaluate the knowledge about vaccinations for pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To verify the registration of the data on the use of immunobiologicals and supplies in the vaccination rooms of the public network. Method: a cross-sectional study, carried out in eight primary care vaccination rooms, with 106 observations in November and December 2016, in a municipality of Rio Grande do Sul. Results: in 64 (60.4%) consultations the clients were enrolled in the program and 104 (98.1%) had their vaccinations registered correctly. Data were adequately recorded after the vaccination of the user in the program in 89 (84%) consultations, however, the movement of the immunobiological agent was only completed in 17 (11%) observations. The refrigerator temperature was registered in the daily record in 80 (75.5%) observations. Conclusion: the study provided support for the elaboration of strategic actions in the municipality, with the aim of qualifying the work process regarding the organization, maintenance and registration of the immunobiologicals in the vaccine rooms.

ABSTRACT The successful Programa Nacional de Imunizações do Brasil (Brazilian National Immunization Program) has been experiencing a major challenge with regard to vaccination coverage for children, which has been dropping. Several aspects are related, but certainly vaccine hesitancy has been strengthening itself as one of the main concerns of Brazilian public administrators and researchers. Vaccine hesitancy is the delay in acceptance or refusal despite having the recommended vaccines available in health services, being a phenomenon that varies over time, over location and over types of vaccines. Hesitant individuals are between the two poles of total acceptance and refusal of vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy is nothing new in European and North-American countries, and even in Brazil, it has been studied even if under another name. The drop of vaccination coverage observed from 2016 on reiterates the relevance of the theme, which must be better understood through scientific research.

Despite the overall benefits of immunization, vaccine hesitancy has been a growing trend and has been associated with the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The aim of this study was to assess vaccine confidence and hesitancy in Brazil, as part of a wider project to map vaccine confidence globally. One thousand subjects were interviewed, either online or face-to-face, based on a general questionnaire regarding perceptions on vaccines and vaccination. Further exploratory questions were used with the subset of respondents who were parents of children aged under 5. Such questions extracted information regarding vaccination behavior, opinions on vaccination and government health services, and vaccine hesitancy. Reasons for hesitancy were classified as relating to confidence, convenience and/or complacency, and the population was also analyzed socio-demographically. The results showed that overall confidence in immunization was higher than confidence in family planning services, community health workers and emergency services. Seventy-six people reported hesitancy to vaccinate. The commonest reasons for hesitancy were issues with confidence (41.4%), efficacy/safety of the vaccine (25.5%) and concerns about adverse events (23.6%). The sociodemographic analysis revealed that vaccine hesitancy was associated with marital status, level of education and income. Despite overall vaccine confidence being high, a clear trend toward lower levels of confidence was associated with higher levels of hesitancy, which warrants on-going monitoring, due to the dynamic and changing nature of vaccine hesitancy.

Objective: get to know the reasons for non-adherence of parents/responsible caregivers of children to the vaccination campaign against influenza. Method: quantitative and descriptive research. Inclusion criteria: parents or responsible caregivers of children between six months and up to four years of age, living in the city of Joinville. Interviews were held with 380 responsible caregivers of children aged between six months and four years, using a semi-open questionnaire, in 2016, and the descriptive analysis was applied to the data. Results: the campaign reached the target, with 89% of the children being vaccinated. The reasons for non-adherence to the campaign were: fear of adverse reaction (21; 51.3%); information that the child had the flue (10; 24.3%); and not knowing about the campaign (5; 12.4%). Conclusion:nursing plays a fundamental role in the elaboration, planning and execution of vaccination campaigns. This study evidenced the need to improve the health education strategies concerning vaccination against the influenza virus and to broaden the access to Primary Health Care.

Dados administrativos mostram altas coberturas vacinais no Brasil, porém não há avaliação da validade e oportunidade de aplicação das doses, nem se o esquema vacinal está completo. Este estudo avaliou as coberturas oportunas e atualizadas de crianças de 12 a 24 meses de idade. Estudo longitudinal de base populacional em Araraquara, São Paulo, uma cidade de médio porte predominantemente urbana, utilizando dados do Sistema Juarez, um registro informatizado de imunização (RII). As coberturas foram avaliadas para 49.741 crianças nascidas entre 1998 e 2013, período com cinco calendários de vacinação diferentes. As tendências foram estimadas pelo método de regressão linear Prais-Winsten. A cobertura atualizada do esquema completo variou entre 79,5% e 91,3%, aos 12 meses, e entre 75,8% e 86,9%, aos 24 meses. A cobertura oportuna (todas as doses aplicadas na idade recomendada, sem atraso) variou entre 53,3% e 74%, aos 12 meses, e entre 36,7% e 53,8%, aos 24 meses. Houve tendência crescente para a cobertura atualizada aos 24 meses. Os atrasos em relação à idade recomendada se acentuam em doses a partir dos seis meses e parecem estar mais relacionados à idade do que ao número de doses do esquema. A proporção de doses inválidas e atrasadas foi menor do que em outros estudos. Apesar do aumento do número de doses no calendário vacinal, foram alcançadas altas coberturas atualizadas e coberturas oportunas maiores do que as encontradas na literatura nacional e internacional, porém são necessários mais esforços para o aumento da oportunidade. O RII mostrou-se relevante para avaliação e monitoramento de coberturas vacinais, com análises mais acuradas.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To verify the adequacy and factors associated with compliance with the immunization schedule (BCG, DTP-Hib, MMR, PCV-10) in children hospitalized with pneumonia at a pediatric referral hospital in Northeast Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with an analytical component, with a sample of 452 children hospitalized with pneumonia at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, between 2010 and 2013. The inclusion criterion was children aged from one month to less than five years of age with proof in the immunization record. The exclusion criterion was the presence of hospital-acquired pneumonia or concomitant disease. We have evaluated the adequacy of the immunization schedule for the BCG, tetravalent, MMR, and 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV-10) vaccines. We used the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test followed by multivariate Poisson regression, estimating the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals. The variables with p < 0.20 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There was good adequacy in the immunization schedule, except for PCV-10, which presented a percentage lower than 85%. We have observed an association between adequate compliance with the immunization schedule and education level of the mother (89.9% complete high school), sex of the child (87.2% female), age of the child (94.2% younger than six months), and breastfeeding (84.3% breastfed). CONCLUSIONS: Given the high rate of education level of the mother and the high percentage of breastfeeding, we can understand that there is a better understanding of the health of the child by the mothers studied in this study, showing the effectiveness of public policies for infant feeding. However, children did not have good adequacy of the immunization schedule of PCV-10, one of the main vaccines against pneumonia, which can be one of the main factors in the causes of hospitalization, with no influence on the classification of the severity of the disease. In this way, we emphasize that the causes of pneumonia morbidity are not associated with a single factor.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a cobertura vacinal de pacientes com diabetes mellitus para as vacinas recomendadas pelo Programa Nacional de Imunizações e as variáveis associadas. Método Estudo transversal, com 255 pacientes de unidade básica de saúde, da região sudeste do Brasil, realizado em 2015. Utilizou-se o Sistema Informatizado de Gestão em Saúde para identificação da vacinação contra influenza, pneumococo, hepatite B, febre amarela, sarampo/caxumba/rubéola e difteria/tétano. Realizou-se análise estatística multivariada. Resultados 78,8% foram vacinados contra febre amarela, 65,5% contra difteria/tétano, 27,8% contra pneumococo, 27,5% contra hepatite B, 14,9% contra sarampo/caxumba/rubéola e 14,5% contra influenza. Encontrou-se associação entre sexo feminino e vacinação contra hepatite B, febre amarela e difteria/tétano; maior nível de escolaridade e vacinação contra hepatite B, e menor mediana de idade e vacinação contra sarampo/caxumba/rubéola. Conclusão A cobertura vacinal, em geral, foi baixa. Fatores como sexo, idade e escolaridade devem ser considerados nas recomendações de vacinas e na proposição de estratégias de imunização.

Objective: To describe adverse event following immunization or vaccination in children in Minas Gerais: 2015 to 2020, resulting from immunization errors in children from zero to nine years old., Methods: An ecological, descriptive study with a quantitative approach, based on event notifications available in the National Immunization Program Information System., Results: Among the 39,903,277 doses of immunobiologicals in children aged zero to nine, administered in the state of MG, 3,259 events of types of immunization errors were recorded, around 0.008% of the total and, of these, 91.86% did not result in adverse events and 56.02% were children under one year of age. The most frequent diagnosis was application outside the recommended age (29.12%). Among the manifestations, 71.91% were local and systemic, with fever being the most common (40.85%)., Conclusion: The study demonstrated that immunization errors were rare and that most of them were not associated with adverse events, which reinforces the safety of the immunization process. This undoubtedly raises reflection on the need and relevance of continuing education for health professionals.