This is a qualitative study, which aims at analyzing the organization of Epidemiological Vigilance (EV) in the local health system of Feira de Santana-BA, from 1997 to 2001> In this study the following aspects were considered: organizational structure, resources available (human and material ones), planning, execution, intra and interinstitutional and intersectional articulations, considering the insertion of the city in the "Basic assistance Program". The collection of data was carried out in 3 stages: documental analysis, semi-structured interviews and direct observation with the VE. team. Results revealed that there are frequent changes in the management positions of VE. The structure, centralized in the SMS, prioritizes programmatic actions which are not articulated to the network of services offered. Advances can be noticed in the infrastructure, despite the lack of equipment and the deficiency in the qualification the human resources. The transformation of the model of health assistance is possible if health professionals, managers and users have political interest in changing it the practices in health services.
epidemiological surveillance; decentralization; health services