C37-06 Vaccines Perceptions, Capacities, and Barriers Faced in Latin American Communities: A Study From Patient Organizations and Social Community Leaders

Introduction Vaccination against preventable diseases is a cornerstone public health intervention, yet access inequalities persist across Latin America. This study examines the role of patient advocacy non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in promoting vaccination to generate evidence that informs more inclusive, culturally appropriate policies. Methodology A descriptive-exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in October 22-December 7, 2024, via a self-administered online survey of NGO leaders in Latin America. The questionnaire was developed by the Latin Health Leaders team and reviewed by allied patient organizations, to ensure the clarity and relevance of each question before administering it. Sampling was used convenience and snowball approaches leveraging existing networks, which facilitated participation from key community stakeholders. A final sample of 52 responses was obtained from leaders in 15 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and organizations focused on Latin communities in Austria, Spain and the United States. Results The results reveal an almost unanimous need (96%) for training in advocacy and strategic communication. Top training needs 71%: Advocacy strategies to influence public policy.71%: Communication skills to address misinformation.63%: Technical information on vaccines for at-risk groups. Main access barriers • 78.4%: Distance to health centers. 54.9%: Lack of health infrastructure.47.1%: Scarcity of transportation. Other key findings Willingness to act: 76.9% (40/52) said they would participate in or lead advocacy efforts; main supports requested: funding (32.7%) and audiovisual materials (15.4%).Trust: Misinformation and “fake news” are reported among the factors eroding confidence in vaccines leading to vaccine hesitancy.Communication: Perceived gaps in cultural appropriateness of materials; demand for visual and accessible content (infographics and videos). Conclusions Patient NGOs represent available yet underused social capital to strengthen vaccination campaigns. Integrating them in planning and execution—alongside operational supports (e.g., proximity/last-mile logistics) and culturally appropriate materials—can help improve coverage and trust, especially where logistical barriers are significant. Recommendation Promote operational partnerships among governments, scientific societies, and the private sector, co-creating with NGOs low-cost, high-impact local implementation actions. This abstract is funded by: GAAPP