VACCINE HESITANCY IN BRAZIL: ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND IMPACTS ON VACCINATION COVERAGE

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy has become a significant challenge for public health, directly impacting vaccination coverage and the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in Brazil and its effects on vaccination coverage through an integrative review. The search was conducted in databases from the Virtual Health Library (VHL), including studies published between 2024 and 2025 that addressed vaccine hesitancy in the Brazilian context. A total of 12 studies were selected, predominantly observational, with varying geographic scopes and populations. The results showed that vaccine hesitancy is multifactorial, involving individual factors such as fear of adverse events and low risk perception; social factors such as misinformation, education level, and trust in science; and institutional factors, including barriers to accessing health services and weaknesses in system organization. It was also observed that hesitancy does not manifest only as refusal, but also as delays or incomplete vaccination schedules. Additionally, a paradox was identified between high declared confidence in vaccines and insufficient vaccination coverage levels. It is concluded that vaccine hesitancy in Brazil results from the interaction between individual and structural determinants, requiring integrated strategies that include strengthening health communication, combating misinformation, and expanding access to immunization services in order to improve vaccination coverage.