COVID-19 Impact on Disparity in Childhood Immunization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Through the Lens of Historical Pandemics

Abstract

Purpose of Review The COVID-19 pandemic, since 2020, has affected health care services and access globally. Although the entire impact of COVID-19 pandemic on existing global public health is yet to be fully seen, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global childhood immunization programs is of particular importance. Recent Findings Disruptions to service delivery due to lockdowns, challenges in vaccination programs, vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, and political and social economic inequalities all posed a threat to existing childhood immunization programs. These potential threats were especially critical in LMIC where childhood immunization programs tend to experience suboptimal implementation. Summary This review provides an overview of childhood immunizations and discusses past pandemics particularly in LMIC, factors contributing to disparities in childhood immunizations, and reviews potential lessons to be learned from past pandemics. Vaccine hesitancy, social determinants of health, and best practices to help lessen the pandemic’s influence are also further elaborated. To address current challenges that hindered the progress made in prevention of childhood illnesses through vaccination campaigns and increased vaccine availability, lessons learned through best practices explored from past pandemics must be examined to mitigate impact of COVID-19 on childhood immunization and in turn conserve health and improve economic well-being of children especially in LMIC.

Possible Changes and Trends in Non-COVID-19 Vaccine-Prescribing Patterns before and during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The primary objective of these programmes was to increase vaccine coverage after the substantial decline encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 13 ]. This decline was evident in the statistics, which indicated a decrease from 82% in April 2019 to 61% in April 2020 [ 10 ].…”

“…Nonetheless, it is imperative to underscore that, to date, the most substantial impacts on childhood immunisation have been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic [ 10 ]. According to a benefit–risk analysis undertaken in Africa, routine childhood immunization during the pandemic could have saved 84 child fatalities for every excess COVID-19 death linked to SARS-CoV-2 infections contracted during usual vaccination clinic visits [ 11 ].…”

Pervasive Parental Hesitancy and Resistance towards Measles Rubella Vaccination in Jordan

“…Recent evidence showed that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound negative impact on childhood vaccination coverage, leading to notable deficits [20][21][22][23]. Disruptions in vaccination coverage are known to be associated with an increase in vaccinepreventable disease (VPD) outbreaks [24].…”

Pervasive Parental Hesitancy Towards Measles Rubella Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan Using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) Instrument

“…Recent evidence showed that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had profound negative impact on childhood vaccination coverage, leading to notable deficits [18][19][20][21]. The disruptions in vaccination coverage is known to be associated with an increase in vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks [22].…”