Incomplete childhood vaccination schedule: Associated factors and strategies to improve vaccination coverage
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/v85nj785Keywords:
childhood vaccination; vaccination schedule; vaccination coverage; associated factors; immunization; strategies.Abstract
Introduction: Incomplete childhood vaccination schedules remain a significant public health problem, increasing children's susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases and compromising both individual and collective protection. Objective: To analyze the available scientific evidence on factors associated with incomplete childhood vaccination schedules and the strategies implemented to improve immunization coverage. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective systematic review of scientific literature published between 2021 and 2026 was conducted. Thirty original studies and systematic reviews involving children under five years of age were included. Studies were retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and ScienceDirect following the PRISMA 2020 selection process. Results: Incomplete vaccination was mainly associated with socioeconomic, educational, cultural, family, and geographic factors, as well as healthcare system barriers, including vaccine shortages, restricted service hours, access difficulties, and missed vaccination opportunities. The main strategies identified included caregiver education, active case finding, home follow-up, SMS and telephone reminders, community participation, mobile clinics, and the use of every healthcare contact as an opportunity to administer pending vaccine doses. Conclusion: Improving childhood vaccination coverage requires timely identification of factors associated with non-compliance and the implementation of comprehensive, sustainable, context-specific strategies to reduce immunization gaps and ensure complete and timely vaccination schedules.
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