Vacinação Infantil em risco no Brasil

Abstract

Over the past decades, Brazil has stood out worldwide for its efficient National Immunization Program (PNI), responsible for eradicating and controlling several infectious diseases through broad and free vaccination campaigns. However, in recent years, there has been a concerning decline in childhood vaccination rates, a phenomenon that threatens the country's historical public health achievements. This decrease in immunization coverage is linked to multiple factors, including misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and weaknesses in institutional communication. In this context, the study discusses the implications of this setback for collective health and analyzes the main challenges faced by the PNI in maintaining public trust and promoting mass immunization. The main objective is to analyze how the reduction in childhood vaccination coverage has contributed to the reemergence of previously controlled diseases, as well as to understand the role of misinformation in intensifying vaccine hesitancy. The methodology was exploratory and descriptive, based on a literature review of scientific articles, official documents from the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO) reports, and national databases. The results show that low vaccination adherence compromises herd immunity, increases the risk of outbreaks, and reflects not only access barriers but also the impact of the spread of false information. It is concluded that strengthening communication strategies, health education, and public trust in institutions are essential to restore vaccination coverage, protect children’s health, and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.