Hepatitis A vaccination coverage survey in 24-month-old children living in Brazilian capitals, 2020.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate hepatitis A vaccination coverage in 24-month-old children and identify factors associated with non-vaccination.

Methods: This was a survey involving a sample stratified by socioeconomic strata in capital cities (2020-2022), with coverage estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), the factor analysis was performed using the prevalence ratio (PR) by means of Poisson regression.

Results: Among 31,001 children, hepatitis A coverage was 88.1% (95%CI 86.8;89.2). Regarding socioeconomic strata (A/B), the variable immigrant parents/guardians was associated with non-vaccination (PR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.09;3.37); in strata C/D, children of Asian race/skin color (PR = 4.69; 95%CI 2.30;9.57), fourth-born child or later (PR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.06;2 .66), not attending daycare/nursery (PR = 1.67; 95%CI 1.24;2.24) and mother with paid work (PR = 1.42; 95%CI 1.16;1.74) were associated with non-vaccination.

Conclusion: Hepatitis A coverage was below the target (95%), suggesting that specificities of social strata should be taken into consideration.

Main results: Hepatitis A vaccination coverage was 88%. Non-vaccination was greater in children with immigrant guardians (strata A/B); of Asian race/skin color, fourth-born child or later, those not attending daycare/nursery and mother with paid work (C/D strata).

Implications for services: The results of this study contributed to the Ministry of Health and Health Departments in monitoring vaccination coverage and identifying factors that may negatively impact hepatitis A vaccination coverage.

Perspectives: Further research is needed on the impact of migration on hepatitis A vaccination and vaccination in general. Health managers should be attentive to the different factors affecting vaccination among social strata.