Geospatial disparities in post-pandemic Sars-CoV-2 vaccination
Evidence from Chile beyond the national success
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23312548 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Muriel Ramírez-Santana (0000-0002-3642-6965, Universidad Católica del Norte), Juan Correa-Parra (0000-0002-0612-8780, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Paola Rubilar (0000-0003-3578-459X, Universidad del Desarrollo), Mauricio Apablaza (0000-0003-1306-3791, Universidad del Desarrollo), Luis Canales (0000-0002-7518-4778, University of Talca), Loreto Núñez (0000-0001-5397-2506, University of Talca, corresponding author) |
| Editors | Abram L Wagner |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pages | e0006808 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-27 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375 |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pgph.0006808 |
| PMID | 42507683 |
| OpenAlex | W7171431240 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 38 |
While Chile achieved one of the world’s highest and most equitable SARS-CoV-2 vaccination coverages during the pandemic, less is known about the post-pandemic stage. This study examines within-country geospatial disparities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake and their socio-demographic determinants in two urban areas of Chile. A population-based survey conducted in May 2024 collected individual data on vaccination status and socio-demographic characteristics. These were georeferenced and linked to census information at the household block level. Spatial analyses explored clustering and correlations between the number of vaccine doses and variables such as age structure, educational attainment, overcrowding, and proximity to public health facilities. Moran’s Index was used to assess spatial autocorrelation and bivariate relationships, disaggregated by sex and city. The number of vaccine doses inoculated displayed significant spatial concentration, particularly among women. A positive spatial correlation was found between vaccination and higher education, and a negative correlation with overcrowding in one city. Distance to health facilities was not significantly associated with vaccine uptake. Across both cities, a higher proportion of older adults was associated with higher vaccination rates, with gender-specific patterns observed. Despite Chile’s previously homogeneous vaccination performance, post-pandemic findings reveal emerging socio-spatial disparities. The return of demographic and territorial determinants suggests a shift toward structural influences on vaccine uptake. These results underscore the need for territorially tailored public health strategies to reduce intra-country disparities in immunization access over time.
Bivariate analysis · Census · Cluster (spacecraft) · Geospatial analysis · Metropolitan area · Overcrowding · Public health · Spatial analysis · Vaccination · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
The influence of gender and other patient characteristics on health care-seeking behaviour
Overcoming Health Inequities
Spatial Modeling of Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the United States
Population-based seroprevalence survey
Risk perception as a motivational resource during the Covid-19 pandemic
Understanding the spatial heterogeneity of Covid-19 vaccination uptake in England
Pentavalent vaccination in Kenya
Spatial analysis of measles vaccination coverage in the State of São Paulo
Local Indicators of Spatial Association—Lisa
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |