Cobertura vacinal dos imunobiológicos administrados simultaneamente em menores de 2 anos no Estado da Paraíba

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective interventions, with great impact on the occurrence of communicable diseases and high potential to reduce morbidity and mortality, especially in children under 5 years of age. Brazil is the pioneer country in the incorporation of several vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization in the National Vaccination Calendar, however, the high vaccination coverage rate (CV), which has always been its main feature, has been falling in recent years. Objective: The study aimed to compare the vaccine coverage of immunobiologicals administered simultaneously as recommended by the National Immunization Program (PNI) in children under 2 years of age in municipalities in the state of Paraíba (PB). Methodology: A mixed ecological, exploratory and analytical study in which we used secondary data from the year 2018 extracted from the PNI, live births and mortality information systems. Descriptive analysis of the study variables in terms of their central tendency and dispersion values was performed. For the analysis of normality and homogeneity of variances, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Levene tests were used, respectively. To assess the relationship between the variables, Spearman's correlation coefficient was used, and to compare the vaccines administered simultaneously, the Wilcoxon and Friedman tests were used, always in blocks corresponding to the age group. Results: Applying the correlation test, a p<0.001 was found, indicating that there is a significant correlation between the vaccines. We saw that the achievement of the VC goal recommended by the PNI occurred mainly in children under 1 year old. That there is simultaneity of vaccines in very isolated situations. CVs that should be similar, given the possibility of applying vaccines at the same time, have different values almost entirely, especially in the vaccines recommended at 12 and 15 months of life. Discussion: The lost opportunity for vaccination, the frequent shortage of vaccines, the lack of training for health professionals and the mother's return to work with the end of maternity leave are associated with low CV. Conclusion: It is necessary to invest in professional training, in studies and policies on this topic so that OPV are eliminated, CV improves and there is a reduction in deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.