[Routine immunization 2020 in Chile during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Immunization Programs

Background:

• The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic prompted global health organizations to recommend maintaining vaccination services.
• Interruptions in routine immunization can increase susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases and trigger outbreaks.
• Essential health services, including routine vaccination, were significantly impacted globally by the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on routine vaccination coverage in Chile.
• To assess changes in vaccine coverage for different age groups and vaccine types during 2020.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of national vaccination data in Chile.
• Comparison of 2020 vaccination coverage rates with the 2015-2019 average.
• Focus on routine childhood immunizations and adult pneumococcal vaccination.

Main Results:

• Routine vaccination coverage in Chile declined in 2020 compared to the 2015-2019 average.
• Coverage for the hexavalent vaccine showed declines ranging from 0.39% (2 months) to 12.02% (18 months).
• Adult pneumococcal vaccination coverage increased by 0.8% in 2020.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected childhood immunization programs in Chile.
• Specific vaccines, like the hexavalent vaccine, experienced significant coverage drops.
• Adult pneumococcal vaccination emerged as an exception, showing increased uptake during the pandemic.