title: Socioeconomic inequalities and vaccination coverage: results of an immunisation coverage survey in 27 Brazilian capitals, 2007-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 1988, Brazil's Unified Health System has sought to provide universal and equal access to immunisations. Inequalities in immunisation may be examined by contrasting vaccination coverage among children in the highest versus the lowest socioeconomic strata. The authors examined coverage with routine infant immunisations from a survey of Brazilian children according to socioeconomic stratum of residence census tract.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors conducted a household cluster survey in census tracts systematically selected from five socioeconomic strata, according to average household income and head of household education, in 26 Brazilian capitals and the federal district. The authors calculated coverage with recommended vaccinations among children until 18 months of age, according to socioeconomic quintile of residence census tract, and examined factors associated with incomplete vaccination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 17,295 children with immunisation cards, 14,538 (82.6%) had received all recommended vaccinations by 18 months of age. Among children residing in census tracts in the highest socioeconomic stratum, 77.2% were completely immunised by 18 months of age versus 81.2%-86.2% of children residing in the four census tract quintiles with lower socioeconomic indicators (p<0.01). Census tracts in the highest socioeconomic quintile had significantly lower coverage for bacille Calmette-Guérin, oral polio and hepatitis B vaccines than those with lower socioeconomic indicators. In multivariable analysis, higher birth order and residing in the highest socioeconomic quintile were associated with incomplete vaccination. After adjusting for interaction between socioeconomic strata of residence census tract and household wealth index, only birth order remained significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence from Brazilian capitals shows success in achieving high immunisation coverage among poorer children. Strategies are needed to reach children in wealthier areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, School of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa, São Paulo, Brazil. rita.barradasbarata@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rita Barradas
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Barata
authors.forename: Manoel Carlos Sampaio de Almeida
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: José Cássio
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flannery
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D019352:Censuses; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines