1. Vaccine research boomed with COVID — but it’s still a one-country show Summary: This systematic mapping and scientometric analysis (PRISMA 2020) searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies (January 2015–November 2025) at the intersection of vaccination, health literacy, education, and communication in South America. Of 641 records identified, 80 studies met eligibility (empirical data from 13 South American countries) and underwent VOSviewer co-occurrence and co-authorship network analysis. Publications rose from 15 (pre-pandemic) to 36 (pandemic, peak 2021) to 29 (post-pandemic), spanning 47 journals. Brazil held scientific leadership (last-author affiliation) in 56/80 studies (70%); Colombia, despite lower volume (7 studies), participated in all seven multi-country collaborations. The thematic focus shifted from coverage/influenza/HPV (pre-pandemic) to fear/hesitancy/misinformation (pandemic) to childhood immunization/regional gaps (post-pandemic). Co-authorship networks remained structurally fragmented throughout. Comment: A useful reality check: research volume doesn’t equal research infrastructure. Brazil’s near-monopoly on regional leadership reflects its NIP’s institutional depth, not necessarily where hesitancy...
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