Effect of the Covid19 pandemic on childhood vaccinations

Understandably, the USA declared a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. In many places, public health advice focused on issued shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders. Concerns have been raised about the possible impact of the pandemic on pediatric vaccination in the United States. Federal funding data has been examined during two periods (January 7, 2019–April 21, 2019 [period 1] and January 6, 2020–April 19, 2020 [period 2]), seeking to compare differences in cumulative weekly vaccine doses ordered between these periods for all non-influenza vaccines recommended for children. A noticeable decline in vaccine orders began the week after the national emergency declaration. The decrease was less prominent among children aged ≤24 months than among older children. A subsequent increase in vaccine administrations observed in late March was more prominent in younger than older children. There are concerns about increased risks for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. It is speculated that parental concerns about potentially exposing their children to COVID-19 during well child visits might contribute to the declines observed. In addition, as social distancing requirements are relaxed, children who are not protected by vaccines will be more vulnerable to diseases such as measles. Efforts by health care providers and public health officials at the local, state, and federal levels will be necessary to achieve rapid catch-up vaccination. Read the full report here