Disparities in vaccination coverage between urban and rural communities in a municipality in central Brazil
1
Local Development, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3876
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In recent years, Brazil has experienced a sustained decline in vaccination coverage, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread circulation of vaccine-related misinformation. This scenario undermines herd immunity, increases the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, and generates social and economic consequences. This study aimed to analyze disparities in vaccination coverage between urban and rural populations in Jaraguari, a municipality in central Brazil, and to identify socioeconomic, demographic, and structural factors associated with adherence to vaccination campaigns.
METHODS:
This quantitative, descriptive, and comparative study analyzed 10,510 vaccination records collected between 2020 and 2023 and provided by the municipal health information system. Data were categorized by sex, age group, type of immunobiological administered, and place of residence. Descriptive statistics were used to examine coverage patterns and differences across population subgroups.
RESULTS:
Of all doses administered, 60% were recorded in urban areas and 40% in rural zones, indicating marked disparities in access. Children aged 0–12 years represented the most vaccinated group, while adolescents and young adults showed the lowest coverage rates. Women accounted for 55% of all registered vaccinations, reflecting their greater engagement in preventive health practices. Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced routine immunizations, it also demonstrated the local system’s capacity for large-scale mobilization during mass vaccination efforts.
CONCLUSIONS:
Vaccination coverage exhibits territorial and demographic inequalities influenced by logistical, socioeconomic, and cultural determinants. Strengthening primary health care, improving infrastructure in rural areas, and implementing educational communication strategies to counter misinformation are essential to increasing equity and ensuring broad immunization uptake.
In recent years, Brazil has experienced a sustained decline in vaccination coverage, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread circulation of vaccine-related misinformation. This scenario undermines herd immunity, increases the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, and generates social and economic consequences. This study aimed to analyze disparities in vaccination coverage between urban and rural populations in Jaraguari, a municipality in central Brazil, and to identify socioeconomic, demographic, and structural factors associated with adherence to vaccination campaigns.
METHODS:
This quantitative, descriptive, and comparative study analyzed 10,510 vaccination records collected between 2020 and 2023 and provided by the municipal health information system. Data were categorized by sex, age group, type of immunobiological administered, and place of residence. Descriptive statistics were used to examine coverage patterns and differences across population subgroups.
RESULTS:
Of all doses administered, 60% were recorded in urban areas and 40% in rural zones, indicating marked disparities in access. Children aged 0–12 years represented the most vaccinated group, while adolescents and young adults showed the lowest coverage rates. Women accounted for 55% of all registered vaccinations, reflecting their greater engagement in preventive health practices. Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced routine immunizations, it also demonstrated the local system’s capacity for large-scale mobilization during mass vaccination efforts.
CONCLUSIONS:
Vaccination coverage exhibits territorial and demographic inequalities influenced by logistical, socioeconomic, and cultural determinants. Strengthening primary health care, improving infrastructure in rural areas, and implementing educational communication strategies to counter misinformation are essential to increasing equity and ensuring broad immunization uptake.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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