COVID-19 and Routine Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations: Evidence from Louisiana Medicaid

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to disruptions in routine childhood immunizations.
• The specific impact of these disruptions on vulnerable, low-income populations remains under-examined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare routine vaccination rates among children and adolescents enrolled in Louisiana Medicaid before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess the pandemic's differential impact on vaccination uptake in a disadvantaged population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of monthly vaccination data per 1000 vaccine-eligible children and adolescents.
• Comparison of vaccination rates from 2017-2019 (pre-pandemic) to 2020 (during the pandemic).
• Focus on measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), human papillomavirus (HPV), and tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccines.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in vaccination rates were observed in 2020 compared to the 2017-2019 average: MMR (28%), HPV (35%), and Tdap (30%).
• Vaccine uptake decreased notably in April 2020 following the state of emergency declaration and during the typical back-to-school season.
• Limited evidence of vaccination rate recovery was observed in the later months of 2020.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to substantial declines in essential childhood immunizations among low-income children in Louisiana.
• Disadvantaged children experienced extended periods of susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases due to missed vaccinations.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address vaccination gaps in vulnerable populations post-pandemic.