Brazil’s National Immunization Program (PNI), established in the 1970s, is recognized as one of the most successful public health initiatives in the world. However, effective implementation of the PNI in Primary Health Care (PHC) faces challenges that require continued attention. An integrative literature review conducted by Chrystopher Stelle Bodziak, Josiéli Sacoman, and Debora Mariana da Silva Marioto highlights these challenges and proposes ways to overcome them.
Immunization Fundamentals: Vaccination is one of the most effective, safe and cost-effective public health strategies to prevent infectious diseases, promoting quality of life and reducing mortality, especially in vulnerable groups. The PNI seeks universal immunization, in line with the principles of the Unified Health System (SUS), such as comprehensiveness, equity and universality.
Implementation Challenges: Despite high vaccination coverage rates in Brazil, the review revealed significant shortcomings. These include inadequate storage of vaccines, with the use of unsuitable household equipment for storage, and the lack of ongoing training for nursing professionals responsible for vaccination. These problems can lead to a decrease in vaccine effectiveness and an increase in outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Role of Nursing: Nurses play a crucial role in PHC, being responsible for administering vaccines, providing health education, and monitoring vaccination coverage. However, the review indicates that many professionals lack updates on vaccination protocols and management of adverse effects, which compromises the quality of service.
Review Methods: The analysis was based on 4,183 articles found in databases such as BVS, SciELO and Google Scholar, restricted to publications from 2017 to 2022. After inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles were selected for detailed analysis, offering both a qualitative and quantitative view of immunization practices in PHC.
Conclusions and Recommendations: The reviewed studies reveal the need to:
- Continuing Education : Regular training for health professionals, focusing on updating vaccination protocols.
- Adequate Infrastructure : Improvement in the conservation and storage of vaccines, avoiding the use of domestic refrigerators.
- Management Tools : Implementation of checklists and information systems for monitoring and managing vaccination.
The review emphasizes that, although Brazil is a reference in immunization, the implementation of the PNI in PHC requires investments in education, structure and evaluation tools to ensure effective immunization. Public awareness about the importance of vaccines is also essential to increase vaccination coverage.
Future Impact: Improving the implementation of the PNI can not only preserve historic achievements in Brazilian public health but also position the country as a global leader in immunization, especially in times of new global health threats.
References:
- Bodziak, CS, Sacoman, J., Marioto, DM da S. (2024). National Immunization Program in Primary Care in the Light of Scientific Literature. CPAH Science Journal of Health, 7(2), 1-13.
