The article aimed to characterize the contribution of Brazilian state web portals to the transparency of the vaccination process against COVID-19. This research is descriptive, undertaken through a documentary study with a quali-quantitative approach. The purpose of the investigation comprises the web portals of the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District. The study was guided by the application of the COVID-19 Vaccination Transparency Index (ITVC-19). The study data were obtained in six surveys carried out from the analysis of the portals, using content analysis as the processing technique. The constancy of some states at higher and lower levels (i.e., the extremes) and the evolution of others going from lower to higher levels was observed. Although the vast majority of web portals of Brazilian states contribute to the transparency of the vaccination against COVID-19, there are still states the portal of which, for being at opaque, low, or intermediary levels, seem to exist more due to a dominant technological imperative and less to favor the transparency of government actions. The study has a direct theoretical implication when it enables the development of an index that contributes to analyzing the transparency in the vaccination process against COVID-19. It is assumed that, in the future, the index may also be used for new studies on vaccination campaigns, not just this one restricted to the pandemic context. Consequently, it contributes to bridging the gap in the literature, notably the national literature. The practical contribution is also demonstrated by the provision of a diagnosis that, albeit specific, may be used by public managers interested in advancing vaccination transparency.
The contribution of state web portals to the transparency of the vaccination process against COVID-19 in Brazil
