Impact of covid-19 pandemic on routine immunization of children

ABSTRACT

Objective: To find the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on routine immunization of children. Methodology: This cross sectional study was done at the New City Teaching Hospitaland Divisional Head Quarter Teaching Hospital, Mirpur, Azad Kashmir from March to September 2021. Data about routine immunization of children from parents was collected by using predesigned questionnaire. All data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: The study included 1200 parents. We found that 80% parents had scheduled vaccination for their children, 18% had delayed vaccination while 2% missed vaccination during Covid – 19 pandemic. Major reason for delayed vaccination was fear of contracting Covid – 19 in 65% respondents. We found that 80% parents feared that their children have chance to get Covid – 19 infection, 78% responded that their children might transmit this infection while 74% reported that their children have chance to get hospitalized due to Covid-19. Majority of the respondent had positive attitude towards vaccination. Conclusion: Covid-19 pandemic had major impact on the timing of routine immunization of children in Pakistan. © 2022, Pakistan Medical Association. All rights reserved.