COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy among Brazilian Caregivers

Strategic Insights -

A new study has shed light on the attitudes of Brazilian caregivers toward school-based vaccination programs, with worrying declines in vaccination rates among children and adolescents observed since 2016. Researchers from the University of Sao Paulo conducted a face-to-face household survey from July 29 to August 3, 2023, to assess caregiver support for various vaccination programs. The study found that while most caregivers support vaccinating their child at school, a significant proportion, at least 1 in 5, is hesitant about participating in COVID-19 school vaccine programs, while 1 in 10 is hesitant about influenza, HPV, and dengue vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that at least 21.11% of Brazilian caregivers are hesitant about participating in COVID-19 school vaccine programs, with a 95% confidence interval of 18.3-23.9%.
  • Compared to COVID-19, fewer caregivers are hesitant about influenza (10.05%), HPV (9.91%), and dengue vaccines (10.11%).
  • The study suggests that school vaccination programs are not commonly implemented or monitored in Brazil, with caregivers having limited knowledge about the benefits of vaccination.
  • caregivers stated that they would support vaccinating their child at school, with 91.9% of respondents supporting COVID-19 vaccination, 92.1% supporting HPV vaccination, 91.7% supporting influenza vaccination, and 92.2% supporting dengue vaccination.
  • The study used multivariate and ordinal logistic regressions to assess the factors influencing caregiver support for school vaccination programs.
  • The research concluded that at least one in five Brazilian caregivers of school-aged children is hesitant about participating in COVID-19 school vaccine programs, whereas one in 10 is hesitant about influenza, HPV, and dengue vaccines.

Statistics:

  • 921 caregivers participated in the study, with a response rate of 93%.
  • 21.11% of caregivers were hesitant about participating in COVID-19 school vaccine programs (95% CI: 18.3-23.9%).
  • 10.05% of caregivers were hesitant about influenza vaccines (95% CI: 8.3-12.1%).
  • 9.91% of caregivers were hesitant about HPV vaccines (95% CI: 8.2-11.9%).
  • 10.11% of caregivers were hesitant about dengue vaccines (95% CI: 8.5-12.4%).

Sources:

  • Caregivers' attitudes toward school-based vaccination programs: A comparison of COVID-19, HPV, influenza, and dengue vaccines in Brazil. Vaccine, 2025;64:127709.
  • University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Professor Luciano Gualberto, 315, Room 2067, Cidade Universitaria, Sao Paulo, SP Cep 05508-900, Brazil.
  • Elsevier Sci Ltd, 125 London Wall, London, England.
  • Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. September 28, 2025; p 131.