Vaccine hesitancy in Brazil: causes and solutions Erica Andrade Soares, Tatiana Viola Queiroz

Abstract

Vaccines are considered one of the greatest scientific advances in the health care of humanity, responsible for the prevention and eradication of countless diseases. Brazil has always played a prominent role on the world stage due to its vaccination programs. Vaccination coverage, which used to be around 90% of the population, has been plummeting since 2015, reaching its worst mark in 2021. The objective of this work is to highlight the importance of vaccination and the main reasons for vaccine hesitancy, which has existed since the discovery of vaccines, but which has gained much more visibility today due to the ease with which anti-vaccine activists disseminate their arguments. In view of this problem, which is so damaging to the health of the population, the immediate solution will be to maintain mandatory vaccinations, but also the need for greater participation by government agencies in raising awareness among the population. A review was carried out using the qualitative method through scientific literature and presentation of data provided on websites of official public health agencies in Brazil and the World Health Organization (WHO).