Declining Childhood Vaccinations Rates Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic
Eze mbe si na ihe ya ji-achiri ihe egwu ya aga njem bu maka ya ezu ndiegwu.
Can we just take a moment to celebrate the recent news in which the continent of Africa has been declared free from Polio! What an achievement for everyone on that great continent that had a hand in it. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/25-08-2020-global-polio-eradication-initiative-applauds-who-african-region-for-wild-polio-free-certification
On a more personal note, the next few months are filled with birthdays of so many family members (which is why my budget whines a little around this time till January) including my niece who turns one. Being a pharmacist by training, my sister reached out pretty early in the pandemic to talk about a potentially disrupted vaccination schedule and how she, my brother in law and the pediatrician planned on proceeding. At the time the pediatrician’s office was completely closed, but we talked about the little bit of flexibility available to her around the timing. Luckily, it worked out in the end, and her vaccinations are on schedule. Reflecting on the access to healthcare here in the US brings a sense of gratitude but also a concern for others in less ideal situations, especially in underdeveloped nations. I have seen a few articles pop up about the declining vaccination rates that may result from this pandemic especially in nations with less sophisticated and unstable infrastructure.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, global vaccination rates for Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP3) and measles were far from perfect despite great progress over the past few decades. There was only a 20% chance of children born today being fully vaccinated by the age of five in 2019.
In recent months both WHO and the United Nations have warned of a declining number of children receiving routine vaccinations. COVID-19 which has claimed 869,000+ lives worldwide to date has disrupted healthcare systems in place that would normally provide these services. This ultimately is posed to setback efforts made in developing regions whose healthcare systems are not as stable.
Initial immunization reports show significant drops in the number of children completing three doses of vaccine against diphtheria tetanus and pertussis (DTP3). According to the World Health Organization, this would be the first time in 28 years that the world could see a reduction in DTP3 coverage. The coverage of DTP3 also serves as a marker for immunization coverage within and across countries. The latest data on vaccine coverage from WHO and UNICEF for 2019 can be found here: https://data.unicef.org/resources/immunization-coverage-are-we-losing-ground/
COVID-19 is ultimately disrupting these vaccination campaigns in many developing nations. A pulse poll was conducted in June 2020 by UNICEF, GAVI, and WHO in collaboration with the Sabin Vaccine Institute’s Boost Community and the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at Johns Hopkins and the Global Immunization Division/United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This survey sought to quantify the disruptions to immunizations. Poll questions surveyed vaccinations service current statuses explained in more detail here: https://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/immunization-and-covid-19/en/
The pulse survey sheds light on various causes that have halted childhood vaccination efforts. A number of responses were recorded ranging from individuals reporting an ability to access services due to quarantine mandates, fear of leaving home, the economic impact of COVID-19 preventing travel, among others. Lack of personal protective equipment and restrictions on travel also plague healthcare workers on the front line.
Unfortunately for many of these nations, COVID-19 continues to plague their communities. However global health organizations are fighting to help reverse these disruptions and hopefully expand childhood vaccination outreach. Both UNICEF and WHO have been on the front lines are supporting low and middle-income countries to alleviate issues through the following objections republished directly from WHO’s site. Restoring services, aiding health workers, rectifying coverage and immunity gaps, and expanding routine services to reach missed communities. Personally, my only hope is that proper funding for these global health organizations remains intact, as we are truly a globalized world. When one nation suffers the effects can reverberate back to the comfort of developed nations. My hope is that we as a global community continue to fight for preventative global health actions.
In closing, this brings me to the quote I chose that teaches which translates to, The tortoise said that it always travels with its musical instrument in case it meets other musicians.
This quote means, Stressing a state of maintaining a state of preparedness. Very relevant to the goals and values that surround vaccination efforts.
COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
WHO and UNICEF warn of a decline in vaccinations during COVID-19 https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/15-07-2020-who-and-unicef-warn-of-a-decline-in-vaccinations-during-covid-19
This was my very first birthday party taken in my father’s compound in Nigeria. Everyone else pictured is a cousin of mine. My two older sisters are in the mix as well. Filled with a sense of gratitude for each day on earth and also hoping to make a difference in others’ lives so children can grow up free of preventable illnesses.