The reasons for vaccine hesitancy in Brazil: an analysis based on the perception of health workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy is complex and multifaceted. In this context, the present article analyzes the reasons for vaccine hesitancy perceived by healthcare professionals in their interaction with Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) users during covid-19 vaccination. Interviews were conducted with 86 primary healthcare professionals in four municipalities from different states and the Federal District. The results point to complacency, convenience, confidence, communication, and context as determinants of vaccine hesitancy recognized by healthcare professionals. In the category of complacency, the subcategories “Perception of low risk due to vaccination progress” and “Perception of low risk by downplaying the pandemic” were identified. In the category of convenience, the subcategories “Lack of access to information,” “Geographical location of the vaccination site,” and “Operation of the vaccination site” were mapped. In the category of confidence, the subcategories “Vaccine brands,” “Distrust in the speed of vaccine development,” and “Fear of vaccine side effects” were identified. In the analysis of the communication category, the subcategories “False information communicated by healthcare professionals,” “False information circulating on social media,” and “False information communicated by various political authorities” were identified. Finally, in the category of context, the subcategories “Alignment with political leaders,” “Alignment with religious issues,” and “Socioeconomic conditions” were identified.