Spatial analysis of vaccine coverage on the first year of life in the northeast of Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Background Over time, vaccination has been consolidated as one of the most cost effective and successful public health interventions and a right of every human being. This study aimed to assess the spatial dynamics of the vaccine coverage (VC) rate of children aged 0.05), but the Local Moran’s Index showed some municipalities, particularly the Sertão Paraibano region, with high VC, high similarity, and a positive influence on neighboring municipalities (p < 0.05). In contrast, most municipalities with low VC were concentrated in the Mata Paraibano region, negatively influencing their neighbors (p < 0.05). Conclusion Uneven geographic regions and clusters of low VC for children aged < 1 year in the State of Paraíba were spatially visualized. Health policy makers and planners need to urgently devise and coordinate an action plan directed at each state’s regions to fulfill the vaccination calendar, thereby reversing the vulnerability of this age group, which is at a higher risk of diseases preventable by vaccination.

Keywords

• Vaccination
• Spatial analysis
• Global Moran’s Index
• Local Moran’s Index
• Mixed ecological study
• Secondary data