ABSTRACT
Objective The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the lockdown measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood-vaccination coverage rates in Catalonia (Spain) and to estimate its recovery once the progressive return to ”normalcy” had begun. Study design We carried out a public health register-based study. Methods Routine childhood-vaccination coverage rates were analysed in three periods, a first pre-lockdown period (from January 2019 to February 2020), a second lockdown period with full restrictions (from March 2020 to June 2020), and, lastly, a third post-lockdown period with partial restrictions (from July 2020 to December 2021). Results During the lockdown period, most of the coverage rates remained stable, concerning the pre-lockdown period;however, when comparing the vaccination coverage rates in the post-lockdown period to the pre-lockdown period, we observed decreases in all types of vaccines and doses analysed, except for coverage with the PCV13 vaccine in two-year-olds, which experienced an increase. The most relevant reductions were observed in MMR and DTaP vaccination coverage rates. Conclusions Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an overall decline in routine, childhood vaccine-coverage rates, and the pre-pandemic rates have not yet been recovered. Immediate and long-term support strategies must be maintained and strengthened to restore, and sustain routine childhood-vaccination.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the lockdown measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccination coverage rates in Catalonia (Spain) and to estimate its recovery once the progressive return to 'normalcy' had begun. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a public health register-based study. METHODS: Routine childhood vaccination coverage rates were analysed in three periods: a first pre-lockdown period (from January 2019 to February 2020), a second lockdown period with full restrictions (from March 2020 to June 2020), and, finally, a third post-lockdown period with partial restrictions (from July 2020 to December 2021). RESULTS: During the lockdown period, most of the coverage rates remained stable, concerning the pre-lockdown period; however, when comparing the vaccination coverage rates in the post-lockdown period to the pre-lockdown period, we observed decreases in all types of vaccines and doses analysed, except for coverage with the PCV13 vaccine in 2-year-olds, which experienced an increase. The most relevant reductions were observed in measles-mumps-rubella and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccination coverage rates. CONCLUSIONS: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an overall decline in routine childhood vaccine coverage rates, and the pre-pandemic rates have not yet been recovered. Immediate and long-term support strategies must be maintained and strengthened to restore and sustain routine childhood vaccination.