Adverse events and health literacy as barriers to childhood immunization in Peru

Castilla-Torres N.V.; Castilla J.; Sal y Rosas V.G.; Tinco J.A.; Medina J.P.; Vega C.Á. · Vacunas (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.vacun.2025.500488

Resumen

Objectives To determine whether the level of health literacy and adverse post-vaccination events (AEFI) against COVID-19 experienced by parents are barriers to childhood vaccination in Ayacucho. Methods Cross-sectional predictive level study, conducted in 2022. The analysis was performed using Poisson family generalized lineal models (GLM) and crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios were estimated. Results The sample included 128 parents of children between 5 and 11 years of age. A total of 90.6% of the parents received the vaccine, compared to 64.2% of their children. The incidence of AEFI was higher in adults 62.9% than in children 37.1%, the most frequent being pain at the injection site and fever. Although the level of literacy about COVID-19 and vaccines was adequate, it was poor with respect to AEFI. Multivariable analysis estimated greater hesitancy to childhood vaccination in previously vaccinated parents (RPa = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.14–0.99; p -value = 0.048) and in those with low literacy about AEFI (RPa = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.50–0.76; p -value ' 0.001). Conclusions In addition, the AEFI experienced by adults and the low level of health literacy constitute significant barriers to childhood immunization, which reaffirms the need to strengthen health education and reduce vaccine hesitancy.

Instituciones: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú; Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga