Experience and thoughts from health education extension actions on vaccination for children, adolescents and the elderly

Abstract

Vaccination or immunization is one of the public health strategies that most significantly contributes to reducing childhood morbidity and mortality and enhancing socioeconomic development in all countries. Despite this, it has been observed hesitant behaviors regarding vaccination and taking children to receive appropriate vaccines. In recent years, vaccine coverage in Brazil has been below recommended levels, a phenomenon linked to distrust about the public health usefulness of vaccines and misinformation about their mechanisms. This experiential report presents reflections on the development of outreach activities aimed at raising awareness about vaccines and vaccination. Through clear communication with various segments of society, from young children to the elderly, and by conducting educational activities in schools and other social settings in Niterói, it became apparent how much people generally lack correct information. Health education proved to be very useful in this context, as it allowed for the delivery of historical recognition and transmission of vaccine-related concepts through dynamic, playful, and interactive activities. These outreach actions reached not only participants from different days and locations but also their families and the surrounding community. Indeed, there are some challenges. Distrust, misinformation, and fake news confuse some individuals if the benefits of vaccines are not clearly understood. The primary outcome of these interventions is the development of informed individuals who are encouraged to contribute to building, on solid foundations, a society more aware of the improvements in public health provided by vaccines in the past and the role each person plays in maintaining high vaccination coverage for all vaccine-preventable diseases.