Cuidar e (Não) vacinar no contexto de famílias de alta renda e escolaridade em São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Abstract

This paper analyzes the parental care dimension and the relationship with the decisions on (non)-vaccination of their children in the context of high-income and well-schooled families in São Paulo city/state. The research adopts the qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews conducted with 15 couples that were divided into three groups: vaccinators, selective vaccinators and non-vaccinators. The analytic-interpretative study of the data was performed by means of content analysis and in line with the benchmarks of care of health and family. For all the couples analyzed, the option of (non)-vaccination of their children is perceived as parental care and protection of the child. However, for the vaccinators, protection is to vaccinate their children; for the selective vaccinators, protection is to study case by case; and for the non-vaccinators, protection is not to vaccinate their children, but to protect them against the risks of vaccination. The study also revealed that the reasons for non-vaccination, selection and/or postponement of the vaccination schedule were similar to those found in the international literature. The study highlights the importance of socio-cultural comprehension of (non)-acceptance of vaccination in the context of parental care.