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

Authors

  • Tiago Ferreira da Silva
  • Paula Dittrich Corrêa
  • Italo Rafael Gallo Humania
  • Kevin de Lima Costa
  • Neila Regina de Oliveira Montingelli
  • Eduarda Campos de Souza
  • Beatriz Espindola Paiva
  • Angelo Marcelo Schwalbert
  • Patrícia Menezes Pereira

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-218

Keywords:

Immunization, Public health, Vaccine hesitancy, Vaccination coverage, Vaccine-preventable diseases

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy constitutes an important public health challenge, as reduced adherence to vaccination compromises individual and collective protection and favors the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases. This study is characterized as a literature review with a qualitative and descriptive-analytical approach and aims to analyze the main factors associated with declining vaccination coverage and their epidemiological impacts in Brazil. The methodology is based on the analysis of scientific publications and institutional documents related to vaccine hesitancy, immunization, vaccination coverage, and the occurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The findings indicate that declining vaccination coverage results from a combination of factors, including misinformation, the spread of false content on social media, reduced perception of the risk posed by certain diseases, difficulties in accessing health services, social inequalities, and declining trust in vaccines and institutions. Insufficient vaccination coverage increases the number of susceptible individuals and favors outbreaks and the reintroduction of previously controlled diseases. It is concluded that addressing vaccine hesitancy requires integrated strategies involving communication, health education, epidemiological surveillance, strengthened primary health care, and expanded access to vaccination, contributing to the recovery of adequate coverage and collective protection.

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References

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Published

2026-09-29

How to Cite

da Silva, T. F. ., Corrêa, P. D. ., Humania, I. R. G. ., Costa, K. de L. ., Montingelli, N. R. de O. ., de Souza, E. C. ., Paiva, B. E. ., Schwalbert, A. M. ., & Pereira, P. M. . (2026). VACCINE HESITANCY AS A GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT: ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DECLINING VACCINATION COVERAGE AND THEIR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL IMPACTS IN BRAZIL. South American Sciences, 6(2), e26444. https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-218

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