Change in Rotavirus Vaccine Coverage in Brazil from before (2015-2019) through the COVID-19 Pandemic Period (2020-2021).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in vaccination coverage of children and adolescents was observed in several countries. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic, in the first two years, on human rotavirus vaccine (HRV) coverage in Brazil compared with previous years. The number of doses of HRV administered in the period from January 2015 to December 2021 and its annual vaccination coverage were analyzed. The vaccination coverage decreased to 77.3% in 2020 and to 70.4% in 2021, substantially lower than the minimum that would be expected (89.2%); the decline was more pronounced in the second year of the pandemic despite the fact that in this period, the circulation restrictions were already less tight. Of the five Brazilian macro-regions, the northeast had the largest decline, and the south had the smallest impact on coverage. At the municipal level, less than half of the Brazilian municipalities managed to achieve vaccination coverage above 90% in either pandemic year. Although there was already a downward trend in coverage in the pre-pandemic years, the present study shows that the values recorded in 2020 and 2021 were significantly lower. Monitoring of vaccination coverage in the coming years should be carried out continuously in order to avoid a possible resurgence of rotavirus-induced diarrhea.

Do medical interns feel prepared to work in the COVID-19 pandemic?

OBJECTIVE To learn about the perceptions of medical internship students about the early conclusion of the course and their preparation to act in the fight against COVID-19. METHODS An online questionnaire was applied with questions about the socioeconomic profile and the object of investigation. The data were analyzed using the Bioestat 5.0 software. RESULTS 111 students participated, most of whom (61.3%) were male, aged 20 to 25 years (80.2%), of Catholic religion (57.5%), and attending the 2nd year of internship (50.5%). A small portion (22.5%) reported being in total social isolation. The majority (57.5%) considered themselves unprepared to act in the fight against the pandemic, and 86.8% of the students believe that the early conclusion of the course will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 in the country. CONCLUSION This scenario points to the urgency of measures that provide, to recent graduates, timely technical preparation, safe work conditions, and emotional support even at the beginning of their professional career, leading them to competent, dignified and healthy work, during and after the pandemic.

Do medical interns feel prepared to work in the COVID-19 pandemic?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To learn about the perceptions of medical internship students about the early conclusion of the course and their preparation to act in the fight against COVID-19. METHODS An online questionnaire was applied with questions about the socioeconomic profile and the object of investigation. The data were analyzed using the Bioestat 5.0 software. RESULTS 111 students participated, most of whom (61.3%) were male, aged 20 to 25 years (80.2%), of Catholic religion (57.5%), and attending the 2nd year of internship (50.5%). A small portion (22.5%) reported being in total social isolation. The majority (57.5%) considered themselves unprepared to act in the fight against the pandemic, and 86.8% of the students believe that the early conclusion of the course will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 in the country. CONCLUSION This scenario points to the urgency of measures that provide, to recent graduates, timely technical preparation, safe work conditions, and emotional support even at the beginning of their professional career, leading them to competent, dignified and healthy work, during and after the pandemic.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Conhecer as percepções de estudantes do internato médico sobre formatura antecipada e preparo para trabalhar no combate à pandemia da Covid-19. MÉTODOS Aplicou-se questionário on-line com questões sobre o perfil socioeconômico e o objeto de investigação. Os dados foram analisados pelo software Bioestat 5.0. RESULTADOS Participaram 111 estudantes, a maioria (61,3%) do sexo masculino, na faixa etária de 20 a 25 anos (80,2%), de religião católica (57,5%) e cursando o 2o ano do internato (50,5%). Pequena parcela (22,5%) informou estar em isolamento social total. A maioria (57,5%) se sente despreparada para atuar no combate à pandemia, e 86,8% consideram que a formatura antecipada contribuirá para o enfrentamento da Covid-19 no País. CONCLUSÃO Este panorama remete à urgência de medidas que propiciem, aos recém-graduados, preparo técnico oportuno, condições de trabalho seguras e suporte emocional já neste início de carreira profissional, conduzindo-os ao trabalho competente, digno e saudável, durante e após a pandemia.