How to address vaccine hesitancy: Strategies based on healthcare professionals’ perceptions

Abstract

In Brazil, vaccination is essential in Primary Health Care (PHC), and the rise in vaccine hesitancy calls for a review of strategies. This study analyzes ways to deal with and minimize this phenomenon, based on the perception of health professionals, grounded in the theory of social psychology. The qualitative research was conducted with 86 PHC professionals in different municipalities and the Federal District. A thematic analysis organized the strategies into three main categories: (1) Relationship between users and health professionals, emphasizing bonding, continuity of care, and welcoming practice; (2) Communication actions, addressing infodemic, adapting dissemination to new technologies and strengthening community engagement; and (3) Intersectoral actions and health surveillance, including territorialization, scheduling of vaccinations , use of vaccination booklets and strengthening health education. The study highlights that effective communication, professional training and intersectoral engagement are key to reducing vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccination coverage. It is concluded that highlighting the factors that intervene in vaccination, from the perspective of health professionals, allows for planning more assertive strategies and reveals the multiplicity of actions needed to increase vaccination adherence.