Vaccination coverage trends in children aged zero to 12 months – Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2018/2024

Abstract

Objective: To analyze historical trends in vaccination coverage of children aged zero to 12 months in SC, comparing the periods prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2018-2019), during the pandemic (2020-2022) and post-pandemic (2023-2024). Methods: Ecological time-series study with data from the Informatics Department of the Unified Health System and the Vaccination Coverage Panel - National Calendar by Residence. The target population consisted of children aged zero to 12 months living in Santa Catarina. The variable depends on the vaccination coverage rate and is independent of the calendar year. The analysis was performed in statistical software, via linear regression, with a significance of 5%. Results: There was a significant drop in vaccination coverage during the pandemic, especially in vaccines against tuberculosis, polio and yellow fever, with rates below the targets. After the pandemic, observations showed partial recovery, with emphasis on the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which exceeded the target in 2023 and 2024. Conclusion: The study showed a reduction in vaccination coverage during the pandemic and incomplete recovery in the following period. Despite the limitations of using secondary data, the findings are relevant to guide immunization actions.