Anne Pham-Hue and Antonella Pucci of Immunise Canada discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine child immunisation
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted every aspect of daily life, including routine childhood immunizations. Immunize Canada recognizes the importance of addressing concerns and providing information about how the pandemic has affected childhood immunization practices, its impact on public health, strategies to address vaccination hesitancy among parents, and the unprecedented advances in vaccine development that have emerged during this crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health systems around the world, leading to widespread disruptions and gaps in routine immunization services for children. Lockdown measures, fear of contracting the virus, and pressure on health resources led to many children missing or delaying vaccinations. Regular visits to health providers decreased significantly, leading to a large proportion of missed vaccinations. The closure of schools, which often serve as vaccination centers, exacerbated the problem. As a result, a large number of children fell behind on their immunization schedules, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
The consequences of missing or delaying childhood vaccinations go beyond individual health outcomes to affect public health on a broader scale. Vaccination rates serve as an important measure of community immunity (also called herd immunity). When vaccination rates decline, the risk of outbreaks and re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases increases. Diseases such as measles, whooping cough and polio, which were once under control, can re-emerge and spread rapidly among unvaccinated/under-vaccinated populations. This not only poses a threat to children’s health but also places a strain on health systems already struggling with the demands of the pandemic.
Vaccine hesitancy
Vaccination hesitancy due to misinformation, disinformation, and mistrust of vaccines presents a major challenge to public health efforts. To address this issue, it is essential to engage in transparent and clear communication, provide evidence-based information, encourage and develop community-led strategies, and address concerns with empathy and understanding. Healthcare providers play a critical role in building trust and providing accurate information about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Educational campaigns designed to dispel myths and address common misconceptions can help reduce vaccination hesitancy. Fostering partnerships with community leaders and leveraging social media platforms to disseminate accurate information can further increase vaccine acceptance and use. Communication and collaboration between specific communities and healthcare providers should be sought to better understand barriers to vaccination and optimize access.
The development of COVID-19 vaccines marked a major achievement in scientific innovation and collaboration. The unprecedented speed at which vaccines were developed underscores the power of investments in research, technology and global collaboration in times of crisis. mRNA vaccine technology demonstrated remarkable efficacy and safety profiles. This success has paved the way for potential applications in vaccine development for other infectious diseases, including influenza, HIV and Zika virus. The mRNA platform offers advantages such as rapid development, scalability and versatility, making it a promising tool in the fight against emerging infectious threats.
Protecting public health for future generations
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on child immunization, highlighting the importance of maintaining immunization services in times of crisis. Addressing missed or delayed immunizations, combating immunization hesitancy, and drawing lessons from COVID-19 vaccine development are critical steps in protecting public health and ensuring a resilient health system for future generations. Immunize Canada is committed to advocating for immunization as a cornerstone of disease prevention and control, and working towards a healthier and more resilient society.
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