The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national HPV immunization program in Malaysia

Rao, Sharvina Ramesh; Kampan, Nirmala Chandralega; Chew, Kah Teik; Shafiee, Mohamad Nasir

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.907720

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Our findings add to a growing body of evidence showing considerable decreases in the administration of adolescent vaccines in the US and globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 9 , 17 , 19 , 28 ]. In France, a 33% reduction in HPV vaccinations was reported in 2020, and a 27% reduction was reported over the first four months of 2021 [ 29 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HPV Vaccinations in Switzerland and Greece: Road to Recovery

Gountas¹,

Favre-Bulle

Saxena

et al. 2023

Vaccines

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to healthcare, including reduced administration of routinely recommended HPV vaccines in a number of European countries. Because the extent and trends of accumulated vaccine dose deficits may vary by country, decision-makers need country-specific information regarding vaccine deficits to plan effective catch-up initiatives. To address this knowledge gap in Switzerland and Greece, this study used a previously published COVID-19 recovery calculator and historical vaccine sales data to quantify the cumulative number of missed doses and the catch-up rate required to clear the deficit in Switzerland and Greece. The resultant cumulative deficit in HPV doses for Switzerland and Greece were 24.4% and 21.7%, respectively, of the total number of doses disseminated in 2019. To clear the dose deficit by December 2025, monthly vaccination rates must be increased by 6.3% and 6.0% compared to 2019 rates in Switzerland and Greece, respectively. This study demonstrates that administration rates of routine HPV vaccines decreased significantly among Swiss and Greek adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic and that a sustained increase in vaccination rates is necessary to recover the HPV dose deficits identified and to prevent long-term public health consequences.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HPV Vaccinations in Switzerland and Greece: Road to Recovery

Gountas¹,

Favre-Bulle

Saxena

et al. 2023

Vaccines

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“…Five were experimental studies, which included cluster-randomised controlled trials (n = 2) [ 29 , 35 ], quasi-experimental studies (QES) (n = 2) [ 22 , 34 ], and a feasibility cluster quasi-experimental study (n = 1) [ 33 ]. We also included a narrative review (n = 1) [ 18 ] and a mini-review (n = 1) [ 28 ]. The remaining studies (n = 3) were comprised of recommendations related to adapting school health programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 25 , 27 , 32 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pivoting school health and nutrition programmes during COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review

Carducci,

Dominguez,

Kidd

et al. 2024

J Glob Health

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Background Preventive and promotive interventions delivered by schools can support a healthy lifestyle, positive development, and well-being in children and adolescents. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unique challenges to school health and nutrition programmes due to closures and mobility restrictions. Methods We conducted a scoping review to examine how school health and nutrition programmes pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide summative guidance to stakeholders in strategic immediate and long-term response efforts. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and grey literature sources for primary (observational, intervention, and programme evaluations) and secondary (reviews, best practices, and recommendations) studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries from January 2020 to June 2023. Programmes that originated in schools, which included children and adolescents (5–19.9 years) were eligible. Results We included 23 studies in this review. They varied in their adaptation strategy and key programmatic focus, including access to school meals (n = 8), health services, such as immunisations, eye health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene-related activities (n = 4), physical activity curriculum and exercise training (n = 3), mental health counselling and curriculum (n = 3), or were multi-component in nature (n = 5). While school meals, physical activity, and mental health programmes were adapted by out-of-school administration (either in the community, households, or virtually), all health services were suspended indefinitely. Importantly, there was an overwhelming lack of quantitative data regarding modified programme coverage, utilisation, and the impact on children and adolescent health and nutrition. Conclusions We found limited evidence of successful adaptation of school health and nutrition programme implementation during the pandemic, especially from Asia and Africa. While the adoption of the World Health Organization health-promoting school global standards and indicators is necessary at the national and school level, future research must prioritise the development of a school-based comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to track key indicators related to both health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents.

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“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of purchasing vaccines posed a challenge, since more attention was given to purchasing COVID-19 vaccines. This undoubtedly disrupted the cold chain storage system of HPV vaccines, raising the National Immunisation Program’s costs [ 19 ]. The pandemic’s impact is still visible today since it prevents women from seeking health care at hospitals or clinics and delays vaccination coverage globally.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Malaysian Women’s Viewpoint on HPV Screening and Vaccination: A Study on Barriers

2023

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Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in low-income countries and the third most common cancer in Malaysia among women aged 15 to 44. This is a huge concern because of the high mortality rate compared to other countries. Cervical cancer is caused by a common sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). Of cervical cancer cases, 80% are attributed to serotypes 16 and 18; therefore, early detection of premalignant lesions and infections from these viruses is important. Diagnosis can be carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based HPV DNA analysis and Pap smear, which act as a viable preventive strategy. (1) Background: This study determined the adoption of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the willingness to get vaccinated in Malaysian women. (2) Methods: An online survey was conducted with women from across Malaysia to gather their views on the barriers that prevent them from accessing HPV services. Sentiment analysis was performed to detect and classify the comments into three groups (positive, neutral, and negative). (3) Results: A total of 449 opinions were received, and the findings revealed that 41.3% were not afraid to be diagnosed early, and were prepared to accept positive or negative screening results. In addition, 18.6% of those surveyed indicated that they feared a Pap smear and were very concerned that they would not get good results. Of the respondents, 36% believed in vaccination and preferred to know more about it; 43.24% claimed that their family members were very supportive towards screening and vaccination; and 21.3% felt embarrassed and were afraid to undergo the screening procedure, as they had no prior experience and were unsure of how the procedure was conducted. In addition, 40.5% indicated that they had no concerns about HPV testing and related procedures, as this information is widely available. Only a few respondents (8.1%) talked about the time constraints and busy work schedules that prevented them from going to medical appointments. The survey also revealed that women are prevented from participating in cervical cancer screening and vaccination programs due to a lack of knowledge, shyness, personal rumors, privacy issues, financial issues, a lack of access to medical services, and ignorance and beliefs about rumors spreading online. (4) Conclusion: Results indicate that awareness of HPV and related prevention measures among women is vague and that negative perceptions continue to exist. It is strongly advised to develop a well-designed and knowledge-based application on the efficacy of screening and vaccination among Malaysian women.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national HPV immunization program in Malaysia

Cited by 13 publications

References 12 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HPV Vaccinations in Switzerland and Greece: Road to Recovery

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HPV Vaccinations in Switzerland and Greece: Road to Recovery

Pivoting school health and nutrition programmes during COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review

Malaysian Women’s Viewpoint on HPV Screening and Vaccination: A Study on Barriers

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