Impact of COVID-19 on vaccination programs: adverse or positive?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed multiple substantial challenges, affecting not only public health but also economic systems, socio-cultural patterns, and political institutions. Studies have focused on the relationships between complex emergencies and natural disasters with outbreaks of infectious diseases. However, there is a dearth of relevant literature on the impact of a global pandemic on vaccination programs -an important topic because delays or stops in such programs are likely to result in outbreaks and epidemics of other infectious diseases. Thus, this article discusses the negative and positive impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic may exert on vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Negative impacts include the increased risk of VPD outbreaks in low-resource countries where vaccination programs must be temporarily halted to prevent the spread of infection. Positive effects include the strong possibility that the universally-recognized need for a coronavirus vaccine may increase people's appreciation for vaccines in general, resulting in improved vaccination uptake once the pandemic passes. Concerned stakeholders, such as governments and the World Health Organization (WHO), should seize this moment to effectively build on these positive impacts by planning renewed and revitalized post-COVID vaccination programs.

COVID-19 and Vaccination Campaigns as “Western Plots” in Pakistan: Government Policies, (Geo-)politics, Local Perceptions, and Beliefs

“…As its prevalence escalates in "developing countries, " it will significantly affect the weak healthcare systems of low-income settings. Various health initiatives, including ongoing vaccination programs, have been affected due to several interruptions in them resulting from the overstretching of healthcare systems (Ali, 2020b). The United Nations has expressed concerns about the millions of children who will not receive vaccinations against measles, diphtheria, and polio, and who will then be at critical risk of infection (United Nations News, 2020).…”

“…There were no empirical evidence for this, simply plausible assumptions. Yet by now, these assumptions have been verified (Ali, 2020b). It was also predicted that due to distinct socio-cultural, economic, and political factors, the impact of the pandemic on vaccination programs would be distinct in low-income countries like Pakistan (Ali, 2020b).…”

“…Yet by now, these assumptions have been verified (Ali, 2020b). It was also predicted that due to distinct socio-cultural, economic, and political factors, the impact of the pandemic on vaccination programs would be distinct in low-income countries like Pakistan (Ali, 2020b). There is also convincing evidence that one out of every two children has missed their routine vaccinations in Pakistan's Sindh province during COVID-19 (Chandir et al, 2020).…”

“…In this article, we argue that, both during the pandemic and in normal times, vaccination campaigns in low-resource settings face multiple challenges, especially when factors like (geo)politics are in play. For example, in Pakistan, socio-cultural, economic, and (geo)political factors significantly shape local perceptions and practices around both COVID-19 and vaccine administration (Abimbola et al, 2013;Ali, 2020b). Rumors and conspiracy theories have long been affecting vaccination programs in Pakistan (Abimbola et al, 2013;Khan and Chiau, 2015;Ali, 2020a,b).…”

COVID-19 Significantly Affects Maternal Health: A Rapid-Response Investigation from Pakistan

“…In contrast, some people consider it as a "political game" to receive some financial aid (Salma et al, under review). Yet others are spreading rumors about how to deal with the pandemic, such as "brewing a black tea to drink five sips" (14,24,34,35).…”