Programa Nacional de Imunizações: panorama epidemiológico, estratégias e desafios do Sistema Único de Saúde

Abstract

Introduction: The National Immunization Program was created in 1973, with the purpose of contributing to the control or eradication of infectious and immunopreventable diseases, based on actions and services applied to immunization, and enabled significant advances for public health in Brazil. Objective: To demonstrate the overview of activities, achievements and challenges applied to the National Immunization Program for the Unified Health System, as well as the vaccines freely available to the population and the epidemiological overview of some infections associated with vaccines incorporated in SUS. Methods: This is a descriptive study in which we sought to investigate and present information directed to four vaccines provided by PNI (DTP that protects against (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), triple viral (measles, mumps and rubella), VIP / VOP (polio) and meningitis, to the vaccination coverage of these available from the Ministry of Health, as well as the confirmed case records of these infections from 2001 to 2018 in Brazil. Results: Currently 19 vaccines are available through the PNI, to be followed the recommendations regarding the recommended doses and age groups. Of these, four were evaluated in this study, which generally shows a drop in immunization coverage in recent years. Aspects such as these may contribute to the increase and / or appearance of cases of infections that may be frequent in the country for many years. In this context, we highlight the low rates of vaccine coverage of the triviral vaccine, which includes protection for measles, which has recently been observed the frequent cases in some places in Brazil. Conclusion: It reinforces the need for continuous efforts and investments regarding the many approaches of the PNI in the country, ranging from the production of immunobiologicals to the promotion of information and educational actions directed to its public. The sanitary professional in his role as a health professional should be concerned with health actions, and can not only contribute to better understanding and planning services that can reduce the suffering of the community.