Vaccination coverage and factors associated with incomplete polio vaccine schedule in children born in 2017-2018, in state capitals and interior region municipalities of Northeast Brazil

Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2025 Jan 10;33(spe2):e20231219. doi: 10.1590/S2237-96222024v33e20231219.especial2.en. eCollection 2025.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To analyse vaccination coverage and factors associated with incomplete polio vaccination in a cohort of children born in 2017-2018, in state capitals and interior region municipalities of Northeast Brazil.

Methods: Household survey of children aged ≤24 months conducted between 2020 and 2022. Vaccination coverage and dropout rates were estimated, as well as factors associated with incomplete vaccination, analyzed by calculating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results: : Among 12,137 children, vaccination coverage (4 doses) was 80.9% (95%CI 78.4;83.1); 8.4% were not vaccinated. Not having a vaccination card (OR=18.06; 95%CI 10.01;32.61) and use of private services (OR=1.46; 95%CI 1.23;1.74) were associated with incomplete vaccination. Higher dropout rates were found for the booster dose, especially in the highest stratum.

Conclusion: Low vaccination coverage, poor dose follow-up and high dropout rates were found for polio vaccines in the areas studied.

Objetivo: Analizar la cobertura vacunal y factores asociados al esquema incompleto de vacunación contra la polio en una cohorte de nacidos vivos en capitales y municipios del interior del Nordeste de Brasil entre 2017-2018.

Métodos: Encuesta domiciliaria a niños de ≤ 24 meses entre 2020-2022. Se estimaron cobertura de vacunación, tasas de abandono, así como factores asociados a vacunación incompleta, analizados mediante cálculo de odds ratios (OR) e intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%).

Resultados: En 12.137 niños, la cobertura vacunal (4 dosis) fue del 80,9% (IC95% 78,4;83,1); el 8,4% no estaban vacunados. Residir en estrato socioeconómico más alto (OR=1,42; IC95% 1,23;1,65) y no disponer de carnet de vacunación (OR=14,05; IC95% 8,54;23,12) se asociaron a vacunación incompleta. Se observaron tasas de abandono más elevadas para dosis de refuerzo, especialmente en estrato superior.

Conclusión: En zonas estudiadas se observaron baja cobertura, un seguimiento reducido de dosis y altas tasas de abandono de vacunas antipoliomielíticas.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs / statistics & numerical data
  • Immunization Schedule*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Patient Dropouts / statistics & numerical data
  • Poliomyelitis* / prevention & control
  • Poliovirus Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Vaccination Coverage* / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Poliovirus Vaccines

Grants and funding

File No. 404131, Ministry of Health Department of Science and Technology, via the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, for the research entitled Survey of vaccination coverage in the capital cities of 26 Brazilian States, Federal District and 12 interior region municipalities among children born in 2017-2018 living in urban areas. The research funding agencies had no participation in the process of drafting the manuscript or in the decision to submit it for publication.