VACCINE COVERAGE AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF MEASLES ADMISSIONS IN BRAZIL IN THE PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP BETWEEN 2012 AND 2021 (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Measles is an extremely contagious acute exanthematous infectious disease, which can lead to complications and death, and is compulsory to report in Brazil. The measles vaccine is part of the National Immunization Program and is available free of charge through the Brazilian health system. The topic demonstrates relevance to public health in Brazil, requiring in-depth analyzes to enable appropriate interventions. The present work aims to analyze the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations for Measles in Brazil, in the pediatric age group from 0 to 19 years old, between 2012 and 2021, relating it to data on vaccination coverage (VC) in the country. A descriptive, cross-sectional, epidemiological and retrospective study was carried out with a quantitative approach, based on secondary data provided by the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). Measles hospitalization cases were selected according to Brazilian macro-regions, pediatric age groups, race and sex, between 2012 and 2021, in addition to data regarding vaccination coverage. The study demonstrated that in the period in question, Measles most frequently affected the Northeast region, but proportionally to demographic density, the North was the most affected region. The most affected age group was children under 1 year old. A trend towards higher prevalence in the brown population was demonstrated. CV suffered a gradual decline over the decade of research. An influential relationship was identified between CV and the prevalence of Measles hospitalizations. Therefore, health education for the general population must be continuous and encouraged so that the vaccination rate increases again and Brazil achieves effective immunization of the population.