Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage in capitals and interior region municipalities of Northeast Brazil: a household survey in a cohort of children born in 2017 and 2018.

Objective: To analyze measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination coverage among children up to 24 months old and factors associated with non-vaccination in a 2017-2018 live birth cohort, in state capitals and large interior region cities in Northeast Brazil.

Methods: Population-based survey analyzing vaccination coverage and sociodemographic factors through logistic regression.

Results: For 12,137 children, vaccination coverage was 79.3% (95%CI 76.5;81.8), and the dropout rate was 10.6%. Association with non-vaccination: socioeconomic stratum A (OR-a 1.29; 95%CI 1.10;1.50), living in the interior region (OR-a 1.22; 95%CI 1.07;1.39), no access to the Bolsa Família Program (OR-a 1.19, 95%CI 1.05;1.34), family income ≤BRL 1,000 (OR-a 1.17, 95%CI 1.03;1.31), mother not working (OR-a 1.28, 95%CI 1.15;1.42), >1 child per mother (OR-a 1.12, 95%CI 1.08;1.17), and no vaccination card (OR-a 10.69, 95%CI 6.27;18.20).

Conclusion: Low vaccination coverage and a high dropout rate in state capitals and municipalities in the interior region of Northeast Brazil.

Main results: 79.3% vaccination coverage with incomplete vaccination associated with living in higher socioeconomic strata and in interior region municipalities, and children without vaccination records. High dropout rates in the state capitals Natal and João Pessoa.

Implications for services: Recognition of low coverage and factors associated with non-vaccination provides health services with relevant information with a view to planning strategic actions to increase measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage.

Perspectives: Low coverage and identification of non-vaccination indicate the importance of targeting actions in the Brazilian National Health System to achieve the targets recommended by the National Immunization Program, for populations in Northeast Brazil.