Open AccessMeningitis in Brazil and its regions: a reflection on vaccination coverage in the last decade
Author(s) -
Lis Vinhático Pontes Queiroz,
Janaína Seixas Pereira Meirelles,
Maria Clara Sales do Nascimento,
T.S. Andrade,
Kátia de Miranda Avena
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.618
Subject(s) - vaccination , meningitis , medicine , immunization , haemophilus influenzae , booster (rocketry) , environmental health , geography , pediatrics , immunology , biology , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , physics , astronomy
Meningitis is a potentially fatal disease. Vaccines play a fundamental role in its prevention, so it is important to reflect on the vaccination coverage (VC) performed in Brazil and in its regions. Objectives: To analyze the VC of meningitis in Brazil and regions in the last decade. Design and setting: Ecological study carried out in Brazil. Methods: Data were collected in the Information System of the National Immunization Program from the Computer Department of the Unified Health System between 2011 and 2020. The variables analyzed were: region, capitals and immunizers, which are Meningococcus C, Pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenzae b and Tetravalente. Evaluation by the Research Ethics Committee was waived because it is public data. Results: During this period, the national VC against meningitis was 86.8%, with 19.8% of reduction when comparing 2011 and 2020. The South had the highest VC (91.0%), followed by the MidWest (90.2%), Southeast (88.7%), Northeast (85.0%) and North (76.6%), while the Southeast suffered the greatest reduction (24.0%) and the North the smallest (9.6%). The capitals had a total VC of 83.7%. The vaccines meningococcus C and pneumococcal had higher levels of total VC (92.9% and 90.4%, respectively), while their booster doses had VC of 85.4% and 83.3%, respectively. The tetravalent vaccine had a rate of 77.0%. Conclusions: Except for the North, Brazilian regions have obtained adequate VCs in the last decade, but these rates have been decreasing. It is urgent to strengthen the national vaccination plan in the country, especially in the North.