IMPACT OF VACCINATION COVERAGE ON THE NUMBER OF HEPATITIS B CASES IN THE STATE OF PARÁ BETWEEN 2010 AND 2020 (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a chronic infection with high prevalence and morbidity and mortality worldwide, with cases progressing to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, it is immunopreventable, achieving good vaccination coverage rates when the vaccination plan is correctly used. Thus, studies are needed that correlate the vaccination status and the incidence of hepatitis B cases. The study analyzed the vaccination status in comparison with the number of notified cases of hepatitis B in the state of Pará, in the period between 2010 and 2020, from of data obtained from the DATASUS platform. In general, during the analysis period, the state of Pará was below the vaccination coverage rate set as a goal by the Ministry of Health of 95%, ranging from 100.64% to 55.54%, especially in 2020 (only 55, 54%), with an impact on the period with an increase in cases of hepatitis B, especially among women. The biggest drops in coverage rates were among children (81.63%-55.25%) and the smallest among those aged 15-19 years. It was also observed that Pará was below the disease detection rates (5.2 – 1.9) when compared to the rates in the North Region (18.8 – 5.5) and by the national parameter (8.4 – 2.9). There are several gaps in the data obtained, such as stratification by age group and underreporting of cases, a fact more observed in the years coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an obstacle for a more accurate analysis. During the analysis period, vaccination coverage was deficient at all ages, which possibly favored the increase in the case detection rate. In addition, a higher incidence of the disease in the female public was evidenced. There is a need to update the data on the platform, as well as greater rigor in the notification and control of vaccine and disease data, in order to guarantee more appropriate health interventions, such as advertising campaigns.