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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood immunisation in Colombia

Jose Moreno-Montoya1, Silvia Marcela Ballesteros2, Jaid Constanza Rojas Sotelo3

  • 1Clinical Studies and Clinical Epidemiology Division, Hospital Universitario de la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogota, Colombia josemorenomontoya@gmail.com.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|July 21, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced routine childhood vaccination coverage in Colombia by 14.4% between 2019 and 2020. This decline, particularly in younger children and rural areas, heightens the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Global Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted essential healthcare services globally.
  • Routine childhood immunizations are critical for preventing infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccination coverage in Colombia.
  • To analyze vaccination coverage trends by age group, geographic residence (rural/urban), and specific vaccine types.

Main Methods:

  • An ecological study design was employed.
  • Official monthly vaccination records from the Colombian Ministry of Health for March-October 2019 and 2020 were analyzed.
  • Data encompassed aggregated records for Colombian children under 12 months, 12-23 months, and 5 years of age within the Expanded Program on Immunization.

Main Results:

  • Overall vaccination coverage in Colombia decreased by approximately 14.4% from 2019 (76.0%) to 2020 (61.6%).
  • The most significant reductions were observed for the pneumococcal vaccine (second dose) in children under 12 months (19.2% decrease) and the yellow fever vaccine in 12-23 month olds (16.4% decrease).
  • A statistically significant impact on vaccine coverage was noted in rural versus urban areas for children under 12 months and 5 years.

Conclusions:

  • The observed reduction in childhood immunizations during the pandemic poses a substantial risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • Continued monitoring of immunization program coverage and disease outbreaks is essential for Colombia and other middle-income countries.
  • Implementing catch-up vaccination activities is crucial to mitigate the impact of decreased coverage.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19epidemiologyhealth services research

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