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COVID-19 pandemic impact on childhood vaccination coverage in Quebec, Canada

Marilou Kiely1,2,3, Thowiba Mansour3, Nicholas Brousseau1,2,3

  • 1Direction des risques biologiques et de la santé au travail, Institut national de santé publique du Quebec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
|December 18, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic initially reduced routine infant vaccination rates in Quebec, Canada. However, vaccination coverage recovered to pre-pandemic levels within months, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Immunization Programs

Background:

  • The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated public health measures disrupted essential healthcare services, including routine childhood immunizations.
  • Understanding the impact on vaccination uptake is crucial for maintaining herd immunity and preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine infant vaccination coverage, timeliness, and vaccine administration in Quebec, Canada.
  • To compare vaccination data from 2019 and 2020 to assess pandemic-related disruptions and subsequent recovery.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based vaccination registry in Quebec, Canada, was utilized to compare vaccination coverage at key ages (3, 5, 13, and 19 months) between 2019 and 2020 cohorts.
  • Vaccine delays were assessed by tracking the cumulative proportion of children vaccinated monthly.
  • Administration of measles-containing vaccines before 24 months was compared between the two cohorts.

Main Results:

  • A significant decline in vaccination coverage and timely vaccinations was observed during the initial months of the pandemic, peaking in May 2020 with a 30.9% coverage difference for the 18-month visit.
  • Fewer measles-containing vaccine doses were administered in early 2020 compared to 2019 (-21.1% in March, -39.2% in April).
  • Vaccination coverage improved after May 2020, with most cohorts reaching pre-pandemic levels within a few months.

Conclusions:

  • Routine childhood immunizations in Quebec were temporarily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the early stages.
  • Catch-up vaccinations occurred, and coverage rates largely recovered to 2019 levels within months for affected cohorts.
  • Real-time monitoring of childhood vaccination programs is essential to identify and address pandemic-related disruptions effectively.

Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemicVaccine coverageearly childhoodimpactvaccine delay

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