PARENTAL VACCINE HESITATION AS A THREAT TO CHILDREN'S HEALTH: CHALLENGES FOR MAINTAINING COLLECTIVE IMMUNITY AND PREVENTING THE RE-EMERGENCE OF DISEASES IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Parental vaccine hesitancy represents an important challenge to child health and to maintaining collective protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly given the risk of declining vaccination coverage and the reemergence of diseases previously controlled in Brazil. This study is characterized as a qualitative and descriptive literature review aimed at analyzing the main factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among parents and guardians, its repercussions on herd immunity, and the challenges involved in disease prevention. The research considered scientific publications and institutional documents related to childhood vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine confidence, and vaccination coverage. The results indicate that misinformation, fear of adverse events, low perception of disease risk, distrust of vaccines and institutions, the influence of social media, and communication difficulties with healthcare professionals may interfere with parental decision-making. Reduced adherence to vaccination was found to favor the formation of susceptible groups and may compromise the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. It is concluded that addressing vaccine hesitancy requires continuous health education strategies, evidence-based communication, strengthened trust in healthcare professionals and institutions, and closer relationships between families and healthcare services.