Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2022;22:eSOBEP2022020.
Knowledge and practices of families about post-vaccination adverse events in children and adolescents
DOI: 10.31508/1676-379320220020
Abstract
Objective
To identify knowledge and practices of families regarding post-vaccination adverse events in children and adolescents.
Methods
Cross-sectional survey study carried out in a primary health care service in the city of São Paulo. The sample consisted of 38 parents or guardians of children aged 2 months to 14 years. Data were collected using an instrument designed specifically for the study and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results
Most (76.3%) of the participants were able to indicate which vaccines the child received on the day of data collection, reported having received guidance regarding post-vaccination adverse events (78.9%) and described examples of vaccine reaction ( 84.2%). It is noteworthy that 39.4% reported that the child already had some type of reaction after vaccination and only one (6.6%) participant notified a health professional. Prophylactic use of analgesics and antipyretics was not reported. The majority (n=33; 86.8%) of parents or guardians would not fail to vaccinate the child due to the occurrence of side effects in previous procedures.
Conclusion
Parents and guardians were aware of which vaccines were applied, were able to describe types of post-vaccination adverse events, did not report the occurrence of vaccine reactions and did not use analgesics and antipyretics prophylactically. Informing families about the typically transient nature of these events can be a useful strategy in reducing vaccine hesitancy.