Since 2015, Brazil has seen repeated declines in vaccination coverage for children and adolescents. In 2022, the dimension of the problem becomes a more visible concern, especially after the World Health Organization (WHO) placed the country among the countries most at risk of polio resurgence and Fucruz (Osvaldo Cruz Foundation) warned that The only immunizing device with perfect vaccination coverage here is BCGagainst tuberculosis.
However, knowing the problem did not effectively increase the percentage of Brazilians who were fully vaccinated.
According to data from DataSUS (Informatics Division of the Unified Health System), by December 20, 2022, 60.56% of the population had completed the vaccination schedule with all vaccinations given by the PNI (National Immunization Programme).
In 2019, this indicator was 60.89%. The justification for reaching the lowest rates in history was the pandemic and social isolation.
However, since March of this year, the isolation rules have been relaxed, and at the moment the number remains practically at the same level as in 2019.
PNI offers vaccinations against 20 diseases in 38,000 vaccination rooms across the country. For the experts I’ve heard of before R7The reasons for this decline in coverage are not limited to the pandemic.
It wasn’t just the pandemic that was responsible for the decline in vaccine coverage. We also have misinformation, which has led to questions about the importance and safety of vaccines. The lack of campaigns promoted by health directors also affects, says infection scientist Raquel Stochi, professor at Unicamp (Campinas State University).
For Renato Kfoury, Director of SBIm (Brazilian Society of Immunization) and SBP (Brazilian Society of Pediatrics), the size of the country means that the causes of the problem are different.
“The reasons why someone does not get vaccinated in a big city are different than someone who lives in the Amazonas or inland areas of Piauí. The reasons are varied: from access issues, difficult opening hours, transportation cost issues, and shortages. [de vacinas]Fake news saying vaccines are bad.
The number considered ideal by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization varies according to each vaccine, but coverage above 85% is expected to prevent the spread of diseases.
Brazil has been considered a model for vaccination in the world for more than a decade, and doctors believe it is possible to return to the level lost in recent years.
“Return is undoubtedly not an easy task, but it requires a lot of effort, and the first steps must be taken,” Kfoury warns.
“The priority function of the next government, to restore the population’s confidence in vaccination, must be in our national immunization programme. With this, we will once again be an example of commitment to vaccination for the whole world, as we were in the past, ”adds Raquel.
Among the measures aimed at reversing this situation in 2023 are awareness and communication campaigns by health authorities, investment in training, distribution, work at alternative hours and the creation of vaccination campaigns.
For the infection specialist, campaigns should target parents and health professionals. “It is necessary to continue to motivate people to get vaccinated so that they do not feel threatened. This is a huge challenge, and even health professionals who no longer treat these diseases, they no longer treat these conditions and end up recommending them in a less emphatic way,” Kfoury instructs.
Attention and planning action for the next government must begin now. Communication should be effective in plain language, focusing on the benefits to the population and the importance of vaccinating everyone,” Raquel concludes.
All this effort is worth it from a human and financial point of view. According to 2020 WHO estimates, vaccines prevent four deaths worldwide per minute and generate savings equivalent to R$250 million per day.
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