Factors associated with vaccination coverage: a population-based survey in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2020-2021

Factores asociados a la cobertura de vacunación: encuesta de base poblacional en Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil, 2020-2021

Objective  To estimate prevalence of the full vaccination schedule for children 12 to 24 months old and to analyze associated factors.

Methods  Survey with cluster sampling carried out in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, between December 16, 2020, and January 4, 2021. Children born in Vitória in 2017 and 2018 were included. We estimated the prevalence of vaccination schedules. Poisson regression was used to verify association with full vaccination coverage.

Results  We included 788 children. Full vaccination coverage was found to be 57% taking a 95% confidence interval (95%CI 50.98;62.98). Prevalence of full vaccination coverage was lowest when private services were used for immunization (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.67; 95%CI 0.51;0.86) and when mothers had ≥ 4 children (PR 0.55; 95%CI 0.32;0.94).

Conclusion  We found low vaccination coverage and a drop in booster doses. Use of private services for immunization and number of children were associated with incomplete vaccination coverage.

Keywords
Vaccination Coverage; Vaccines; Immunization; Child Health; Population Surveys

Main results  Full vaccination coverage was found for just over half of the population, with a decrease for vaccines that require a booster dose. Use of private services for immunization and greater number of children were negatively associated with full vaccination coverage.

Implications for services  The need to strengthen active tracing of children whose vaccinations are overdue within health service territories, especially for families with a larger number of children and those using private services.

Perspectives  The need for innovative health service strategies, to increase childhood vaccination coverage, especially to address insecurity and fear of vaccination, resulting from disinformation.