ABSTRACT
Objective: to understand the meanings of COVID-19 vaccination to immunized elderly. Method: this qualitative, participant action study was based on the assumptions of Paulo Freire and approved by the research ethics committee. Sampling was by the snowball technique. The three stages of the Research Itinerary were: Thematic Research;Encoding and Decoding;and Critical Unveiling. A virtual Culture Circle was held in March 2021, with the participation of 11 elderly people without cognitive impairment, living in the south of Brazil and immunized against COVID-19. The first participant belonged to the social circle of one of the researchers. Results: two generator themes emerged: 1) COVID-19: birds trapped in their cages;and 2) COVID-19 vaccination: the time to fly again is coming. Conclusions: vaccination against COVID-19 for the elderly meant happiness, protection, hope, relief, tranquility and hope of returning to routine activities. © 2021, Centro de Estudos da Faculdade de Enfermagem da UERJ. All rights reserved.