Uptake of pandemic influenza (H1N1)-2009 vaccines in Brazil, 2010.

In 2010, the Brazilian Ministry of Health organized a mass vaccination campaign of selected priority groups in response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. The campaign was conducted in six phases from March to July, 2010. Priority groups included healthcare professionals, indigenous persons, pregnant women, young children, persons with chronic illnesses and otherwise healthy adults 20-39 years of age. Over 89 million doses of pandemic influenza vaccines were administered, surpassing immunization targets among several priority groups, including healthcare professionals. We reviewed strategies used in Brazil to promote vaccination against pandemic influenza as well as factors external to the campaign that may have contributed to vaccine uptake among priority groups.