Number of doses of Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine applied in Brazil before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Due to the social isolation measures adopted in an attempt to mitigate the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, there has been a reduction in vaccination coverage of children and adolescents in several countries and regions of the world. Objective Analyze the number of doses of vaccine against Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) applied before and after the beginning of mitigation measures due to COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods The data collected refer to the number of doses of the MMR vaccine applied monthly to the target population residing in Brazil: cahildren, aged 12 months (first dose) and children, aged 9 years (second dose), from April 2019 to December 2020. Differences in MMR vaccine doses from April 2019 to March 2020 (before the start of mitigation measures) and April 2020 to September 2020 (after the start of the mitigation measures) were evaluated. Spatial analysis identified clusters with a high percentage of reduction in the median of applied doses no Brazil. Results There was a reduction in the median of doses applied in the Regions North (− 33.03%), Northeast (− 43.49%) and South (− 39.01%) e nos Estados Acre (− 48.46%), Amazonas (− 28.96%), Roraima (− 61.91%), Paraíba (− 41.58%), Sergipe (− 47.52%), Rio de Janeiro (-59.31%) and Santa Catarina (− 49.32) (p < 0.05). High-high type spatial clusters (reduction between 34.00 and 90.00%) were formed in the five regions of Brazil (Moran’s I = 0.055; p = 0.01). Conclusion A reduction in the number of MMR vaccine doses was evidenced as a possible effect by the restrictive actions of COVID-19 in Brazil.

Measles Vaccination and Outbreaks in Croatia from 2001 to 2019; A Comparative Study to Other European Countries

“…In the period between the end of 2019 and the spring of 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced interpersonal contacts, which also have different impacts on measles, mumps and rubella vaccination efforts and burden across the world. For example, Brazil reported a reduction in the number of MMR vaccine doses [ 6 ], while interestingly, Japan reported de-creased estimated annual burdens in 2020 for measles (98%), mumps (47%) and rubella (94%) compared with those in 2019 due to social distances in COVID-19 pandemic [ 7 ]. However, due to the current burden of COVID-19 on public health institutions, one may expect a decrease in vaccination coverage and potential new outbreaks in near future.…”

Covid-19 pandemic impacts on follow-up of child growth and development

“…Regarding the regional differences in the reduction of CGD visits, recent studies assessed children's low vaccination coverage during the covid-19 pandemic in Brazil, with great impact in the Northeast region compared to the South 16,26 . This result reflects the incidence and mortality rates from covid-19.…”

Decreasing routine vaccination rates in children in the COVID-19 era

“…In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, routine healthcare services, including delivery of vaccinations, were disrupted in many countries, while in some cases vaccination appointments were missed because of fear of attending healthcare facilities. Preliminary studies have demonstrated decreased routine vaccination rates in children in several countries [1] , [2] , [3] . On July 15, 2021 the World Health Organization (WHO) released global vaccination rates data for the year 2020 [4] .…”

“…We should remember however, that one solution does not fit all. Road maps with timelines and accountability metrics are needed to provide catch-up vaccinations targeting eligible age-groups and populations with higher immunity gaps and should be widely published [1] , [2] , [14] . Mobile vaccination teams and delivery of vaccinations along with other services (e.g., maternity healthcare, school-based vaccinations) may facilitate vaccinations in more deprived and remote communities, and have proven useful [7] , [10] .…”