Vaccination coverage in Brazil has declined in recent years, largely driven by misinformation, fear, and distrust. Medical students at the University of Pernambuco designed and delivered a low-cost, two-hour educational intervention for 25 parents and caregivers waiting for routine appointments at a Family Health Unit in Recife.
The session began with an interactive “Myths and Truths About Vaccines” game where participants voted on common misconceptions about vaccine safety and side effects, followed by a short lecture and open discussion. The session concluded with take-home educational materials.
Caregivers’ hesitation appeared rooted in fear and confusion rather than outright refusal, and participants frequently reported getting vaccine information from social media, messaging apps, and family members rather than health professionals. Participants were notably receptive to information from medical students.
The study is published in The Annals of Family Medicine.
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