Vaccination coverage according to race or skin color in children born in 2017-2018 in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil: a population survey

• Published in: Epidemiologia e serviços de saúde 2024, Vol.33 (spe2), p.e20231310
• Main Authors: Santos, Eliene Roberta Alves Dos, Barbosa, Isabelle Ribeiro, Moraes, José Cássio de, França, Ana Paula, Domingues, Carla Magda Allan Santos, Teixeira, Maria da Gloria, Bezerra, Héllyda de Souza, Medeiros, Nayre Beatriz Martiniano de, Araújo, Mayonara Fabíola Silva, Fernandes, Fábia Cheyenne Gomes de Morais, Alexandrino, Arthur, Bezerra, Ricardo Andrade, Silva, Adriana Ilha da, Ramos, Jr, Alberto Novaes, Oliveira, Andrea de Nazaré Marvão, Boing, Antonio Fernando, Oliveira, Consuelo Silva de, Maciel, Ethel Leonor Noia, Guibu, Ione Aquemi, Barbosa, Jaqueline Caracas, Lima, Jaqueline Costa, Luhm, Karin Regina, Caetano, Karlla Antonieta Amorim, Lima, Luisa Helena de Oliveira, Antunes, Maria Bernadete de Cerqueira, Teixeira, Maria Denise de Castro, Borges, Maria Fernanda de Sousa Oliveira, Queiroz, Rejane Christine de Sousa, Gurgel, Ricardo Queiroz, Barata, Rita Barradas, Azevedo, Roberta Nogueira Calandrini de, Oliveira, Sandra Maria do Valle Leone de, Teles, Sheila Araújo, Gama, Silvana Granado Nogueira da, Mengue, Sotero Serrate, Simões, Taynãna César, Nascimento, Valdir, Araújo, Wildo Navegantes de
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Birth Cohort; Black People - statistics & numerical data; Brazil; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; Healthcare Disparities - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Original; Skin Pigmentation; Socioeconomic Factors; Vaccination - statistics & numerical data; Vaccination Coverage - statistics & numerical data; White People - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 2237-9622; 1679-4974; 2237-9622
• DOI: 10.1590/S2237-96222024v33e20231310.especial2.en

To analyze vaccination coverage up to 24 months of age according to race/ skin color in the 2017-2018 live birth cohort in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Population-based survey conducted in 2020 and 2021. Vaccination coverage up to 24 months of age was estimated according to administered, valid and timely doses. Crude association of race/skin color was estimated by calculating the crude Prevalence Ratio and respective 95% Confidence Intervals, using Poisson regression. Of the 688 children in the selected cohort, there was greater coverage among Black children for administered doses (White 30.5%; Black 47.8%; 95%CI) and valid doses (White 25.8%; Black 40.1%; 95%CI), although without statistical significance, and lower coverage for timely doses, in the full schedule excluding yellow fever (PR = 0.21; 95%CI 0.04;0.90). There was lower timely coverage among Black children compared to White children. It was found that racial inequalities and social disparities were reflected in vaccination coverage of Black children in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, showing lower prevalence of timely and full vaccination schedules among those children. The results demonstrate the need to strengthen equitable public policies and the implementation of practices that seek to improve vaccination coverage, thus reducing racial inequalities in child immunization. Health service managers will be able to plan actions and strategies in childhood immunization services, in order to increase vaccination coverage and reduce vaccination hesitancy among Black people and people from lower socioeconomic strata.