O IMPACTO DA PANDEMIA DE COVID 19 NA COBERTURA VACINAL EM MENORES DE 2 ANOS NO DISTRITO FEDERAL: UMA ANÁLISE DESCRITIVA

Objective: To describe vaccination coverage before, during, and after the pandemic period in the Federal District (DF), aiming to assess the pandemic's potential impact on children's immunization rates. Methods: This is an observational, demographic, and descriptive study. Data were obtained from the National Immunization Program Information System (SI-PNI) and Immunization Reports from the Health Surveillance Subsecretariat/Health Department of the DF. The study population consisted of children under two years of age, of both sexes, residing in the Federal District. Data collection periods were defined as pre-pandemic (2018 and 2019), pandemic (2020 and 2021), and post-pandemic (from 2022 onward). Results: Vaccination coverage in the Federal District follows the PNI, with targets of 90% for BCG, Rotavirus, and HPV, and 95% for other vaccines. In 2018, Pneumo10 had the highest coverage (85.2%), while Yellow Fever had the lowest (71%). In 2019, only BCG reached the target (90.2%). In 2020, 61.5% of vaccines exceeded 80% coverage, with BCG leading (93.8%) and Tetravalent showing the lowest rate (43.5%). In 2021 and 2022, few vaccines achieved 80% coverage. However, in 2023, 84.6% of vaccines reached this goal, with BCG again leading. Conclusion: Despite a decline in vaccination coverage during the pandemic, the Federal District maintained better vaccination rates compared to national averages, as indicated by consulted data and literature. It is noteworthy that low vaccination coverage is a pre-pandemic, multifactorial issue requiring robust measures for improvement, including expanded vaccination campaigns and increased awareness of the importance of childhood immunization.