Acceptability and completeness of vaccination schedules recommended for transgender women and travestis in the city of São Paulo, Brazil: a cross-sectional study, 2019-2020

Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2025 Jan 13;33(spe1):e2024341. doi: 10.1590/S2237-96222024v33e2024341.especial.en. eCollection 2025.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To assess adherence to and completeness of vaccination schedules against human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis A and B among transgender women and travestis in São Paulo, capital city of São Paulo state.

Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of the multicenter TransOdara study. Data were collected from 403 transgender women and travestis aged 18 years or older, recruited through respondent-driven sampling between December 2019 and October 2020.

Results: High adherence to vaccines was observed (88.8%), but completeness of the analyzed vaccination schedules was low: 12% (95%CI 8.0; 17.3) for hepatitis A, 7.2% (95%CI 3.5; 12.8) for hepatitis B and 8.1% (95%CI 3.0; 16.6) for HPV, with no statistically significant differences between them.

Conclusion: Despite high adherence, the low completion of vaccination schedules highlighted the need for diversified strategies to improve vaccination coverage and reduce the prevalence of vaccine-preventable sexually transmitted infections in this population.

Objetivo: Evaluar la adhesión y la completitud de los esquemas de vacunación contra el virus del papiloma humano (VPH) y las hepatitis A y B en mujeres trans y travestis en el municipio de São Paulo, Brasil.

Métodos: Se trata de un análisis secundario de datos del estudio multicéntrico TransOdara. Se utilizaron datos de 403 mujeres trans y travestis mayores de 18 años, reclutadas mediante el método de muestreo dirigido por los propios participantes (respondent-driven sampling), entre diciembre de 2019 y octubre de 2020.

Resultados: Se observó una alta adhesión a las vacunas (88,8%), pero una baja completitud de los esquemas de vacunación analizados: 12% (IC95% 8,0;17,3) para la hepatitis A, 7,2% (IC95% 3,5;12,8) para la hepatitis B y 8,1% (IC95% 3,0;16,6) para el VPH, sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ellos.

Conclusión: A pesar de la alta adhesión, la baja completitud de los esquemas de vacunación indicó la necesidad de estrategias diversificadas para mejorar la cobertura vacunal y reducir la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual prevenibles mediante inmunización en esta población.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brazil
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hepatitis A / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • Hepatitis B* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Transgender Persons* / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination Coverage* / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines

Grants and funding

This study received financial support from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Secretariat of Health and Environmental Surveillance, Department of Chronic Conditions and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pan American Health Organization (Agreement No. SCON2019-0016).