VACCINE HESITANCY AS A GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT: ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DECLINING VACCINATION COVERAGE AND THEIR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES IN BRAZIL

Authors

  • Tiago Ferreira da Silva
  • Carmen Schafauser
  • Cristiane Fonseca Freitas
  • Ana Paula Carneiro de Sousa Silva
  • Alexandro de Lima Oliveira
  • Karina Barbosa Pinheiro
  • Maria Eridan Lima Barreto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-036

Keywords:

Vaccine hesitancy, Public health, Vaccination coverage, Immunization, Epidemiology

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy as a global threat to public health constitutes a growing phenomenon that compromises the control of vaccine-preventable diseases and challenges health systems in different social contexts. This is a bibliographic review aimed at analyzing the factors associated with the reduction in vaccination coverage and its epidemiological impacts in Brazil. The methodology consisted of consulting and analyzing scientific publications, institutional documents, and epidemiological data related to vaccination behavior, risk perception, and immunization rates. The results showed that factors such as misinformation, the spread of fake news, insecurity regarding vaccine effectiveness and safety, difficulties in accessing health services, and reduced perception of the severity of vaccine-preventable diseases contribute to the decline in vaccination coverage. The reemergence of previously controlled diseases and the increased collective vulnerability resulting from reduced population immunity were also observed. It is concluded that addressing vaccine hesitancy requires integrated strategies in health education, strengthening public policies, and increasing public trust in immunization programs.

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References

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Published

2026-06-25

How to Cite

da Silva, T. F. ., Schafauser, C. ., Freitas, C. F. ., Silva, A. P. C. de S. ., Oliveira, A. de L. ., Pinheiro, K. B. ., & Barreto, M. E. L. . (2026). VACCINE HESITANCY AS A GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT: ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DECLINING VACCINATION COVERAGE AND THEIR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES IN BRAZIL. South American Sciences, 6(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-036

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