Vaccination coverage, barriers and vaccine hesitancy in children up to 24 months old: a population survey in a state capital in the Western Amazon

Objective: To estimate vaccination coverage, identify barriers and hesitancy to vaccinating children up to 24 months, born between 2017-2018, living in the urban area of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Methods: Population survey carried out from 2020 to 2021, which assessed sociodemographic characteristics and vaccination status among children. Results: Among 451 included children, vaccination coverage was below 80%. Meningococcal C vaccine had the lowest coverage for administered doses (76.3%; 95%CI 70.5;81.3) and doses on time (27.4%; 95%CI 23.1;32.1). The statements "vaccines cause serious adverse reactions" (26.4%; 95%CI 18.1;36.8) and "you don't need vaccination for diseases that no longer exist" (22%; 95%CI 15.7;29.8) were the most frequent regarding vaccination hesitancy. Lack of vaccines was the main barrier to care (86.6%; 95%CI 71.8;94.3). Conclusion: Vaccination coverage in children born in 2017-2018 was below the target recommended for the full schedule of administered doses, both valid and timely administered.