HEALTH EDUCATION AND CHILD IMMUNIZATION: NURSING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE CHILD COVID-19 VACCINATION COVERAGE

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought numerous challenges to public health, affecting different age groups and social contexts. Among the most vulnerable groups are children, whose protection is directly related to the proper maintenance of vaccination schedules. However, the pandemic scenario caused changes in population behavior and in the functioning of healthcare services, resulting in a decrease in vaccination uptake. In this context, Nursing plays a fundamental role, as it is directly involved in health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare actions. Therefore, this study aims to analyze Nursing strategies focused on health education with the purpose of increasing childhood vaccination coverage against COVID-19. A qualitative approach with a descriptive and exploratory perspective was adopted, as the study did not seek to transform data into measurable variables but rather to organize them in a way that would allow for broad and integrated analysis and interpretation. In this regard, the study participants were Nursing teams working in Primary Health Care (PHC) in the municipality of Mesquita, at the Walter Borges Family Health Clinic. The selection of participants prioritized Nursing teams from different professional contexts, allowing for a broader understanding of situations involving vaccination. The analysis of the interviews consistently showed that the decline in childhood vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil was directly related to social, cultural, and communication factors, strongly marked by misinformation, fear, and weaknesses in the health education process, as reported in the literature. Therefore, the study reinforces the need for continuous investment in educational campaigns and professional training aimed at strengthening public confidence in vaccines and combating the spread of false information.