VACCINATION CARD: IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT TO STIMULATE THE VACCINATION AUTONOMY OF STUDENTS

Abstract

Due to the decrease in adherence to vaccination and strengthened by the anti-vaccination movement, world vaccination coverage is at a low level and there is a recirculation of once eradicated diseases. In Brazil, recognized for its successful campaigns to vaccinate children
and adolescents, the valid document for measuring vaccination coverage is the vaccination card (VC). However, there is a gap between subjects and their VCs, in which deterioration and misplacement of this document are recurrent. Thus, the present study proposed the application of a didactic sequence involving aspects of vaccination, in order to stimulate the vaccinal autonomy of students in a public school. Theoretical classes were taught; exhibition of the animation “Cells at Work!”; and carried out practices with the VC of the students themselves. Among the participants, 88.24% and 82.35% showed, respectively, understanding that the cells of the immune system act through phagocytosis and the production of antibodies. 76.47% understood that vaccines provide individual and collective protection and 64.71% that the VC allows monitoring the individual's vaccination status. Among the vaccines consulted, most were vaccinated against polio, measles and Covid-19, and for this last vaccine, everyone had taken at least the first dose. Surprisingly, 78.57% stated that they had already had access to their VV, however only 28.57% had considered the information contained therein. Finally, 92.86% stated that they needed to check and update the VC and felt compelled to keep the VC in accordance with the national vaccination schedule, showing the awareness of these students' vaccinal autonomy.