Percepções de gestores municipais de saúde acerca da cobertura vacinal no estado do Ceará

Abstract

This study explores the perceptions of municipal public health managers regarding vaccina tion coverage in the state of Ceará, focusing on childhood and the impact of the National Im munization Program (PNI). Brazil, through the Unified Health System (SUS) and policies such as the National Policy for Comprehensive Child Health Care (PNAISC), has been com mitted to promoting child health, highlighting the importance of immunization in preventing diseases and reducing morbidity and mortality. Although vaccination rates have declined in previous years, a gradual improvement in coverage has been observed, creating a more posi tive outlook, but one that still requires attention from health managers. This study aims to identify the strategies adopted, the challenges faced, and the support needed to improve vacci nation coverage at the municipal level. The research was conducted in the East Coast/ Jaguaribe Health Region of the state of Ceará, covering six municipalities selected based on geographic location and population size, totaling six. This is a qualitative, evaluative study, anchored in a comprehensive-interpretative approach, which used semi-structured interviews as the main data collection technique. Twelve municipal managers participated in the study, including six Primary Health Care Coordinators and six Immunization Coordinators. The aim was to understand their perceptions regarding vaccination coverage in the state of Ceará. The matic analysis enabled the identification of 26 central themes, which are interrelated in the three analytical dimensions of the research: challenges faced (20), strategies adopted (17), and support demands (10). These findings highlight the complexity involved in immunization management at the municipal level, organized into four structuring axes: Axis 1 – Infrastruc ture and Technical Resources; Axis 2 – Teamwork and Human Resources; Axis 3 – Social and Organizational Aspects; and Axis 4 – Planning and Strategies. It is concluded that immu nizing a child is more than a technical act; it is an ethical and political choice, focused on de fending life, caring for children, and achieving social justice.