Pediatric routine vaccinations in the COVID 19 lockdown period: the survey of the Italian Pediatric Society

Russo, Rocco; Bozzola, Elena; Corsello, Giovanni; Villani, Alberto

doi:10.1186/s13052-021-01023-6

Cited by 15 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…In Spain, reductions in the number of routine infant vaccinations ranged from 8% to 20% [ 59 ], and German data indicates that while scheduled child and adult vaccination visits fell in early lockdown, most were later fulfilled, although up to 20% of children and 40% of adults were without re-scheduled catch-up appointments [ 60 ]. In Italy, early reports indicated that the number of vaccine doses administered in Rome fell by 16% over the first 10 weeks of lockdown [ 61 ], and subsequent regional and national surveys report reductions in both mandatory and non-mandatory childhood vaccinations [ 62 , 63 ]. In the Netherlands, the number of infants receiving the first MMR vaccination dose (given at 14 months) initially dropped by 6–14%, although this shortfall was subsequently addressed by a catch-up campaign [ 37 ].…”

Section: Disruption To Routine Immunization Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on routine immunization

Ota

Badur²,

Mazzotti

et al. 2021

Annals of Medicine

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The current COVID-19 global pandemic continues to impact healthcare services beyond those directly related to the management of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and disease. We reviewed the published literature to assess the pandemic impact on existing global immunization activities and how the impact may be addressed. Widespread global disruption in routine childhood immunization has impacted a majority of regions and countries, especially in the initial pandemic phases. While data indicate subsequent recovery in immunization rates, a substantial number of vulnerable people remain unvaccinated. The downstream impact may be even greater in resource-limited settings and economically poorer populations, and consequently there are growing concerns around the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly measles. Guidance on how to address immunization deficits are available and continue to evolve, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and restoring routine immunization and necessary mass vaccination campaigns during and after pandemics. In this, collaboration between a broad range of stakeholders (governments, industry, healthcare decision-makers and frontline healthcare professionals) and clear communication and engagement with the public can help achieve these goals. Key messages The COVID-19 pandemic has a substantial impact on essential immunization activities. Disruption to mass vaccination campaigns increase risk of VPD resurgence. Catch-up campaigns are necessary to limit existing shortfalls in vaccine uptake. Guidance to mitigate these effects continues to evolve.

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Section: Disruption To Routine Immunization Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on routine immunization

Ota

Badur²,

Mazzotti

et al. 2021

Annals of Medicine

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“…Nevertheless, during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly in the lockdown period, we reported a reduction in routine vaccination coverage. Public awareness campaigns on the safety and on the importance of immunization are required to avoid an increase in the circulation of preventable infectious diseases [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pediatric Hospitalization for Varicella in an Italian Pediatric Hospital: How Much Does It Cost?

Bozzola

Spina

Marchili

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Background: Varicella is a common pediatric infection. Even if it generally has a benign course, it may complicate and require hospitalization. The aim of our study was to estimate the acute hospitalization cost (AHC) for varicella in the acute phase in a pediatric population. Methods: We calculated the AHC of pediatric patients admitted for varicella at Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy, from 1 November 2005 to 1 November 2020. Results: In the study period, 825 pediatric patients affected by varicella were hospitalized. The mean hospitalization cost was EUR 4015.35 (range from EUR 558.44 to EUR 42,608.00). Among patients, 55% were unvaccinable due to either their age or their immunosuppression status. They would benefit from herd immunity, reducing the overall AHC by EUR 182,196,506. Since the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against varicella in Italy, we observed a significant reduction in AHC cost of 60.6% in 2019 and of 93.5% in 2020. Finally, from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we documented a decline of 81.2% and 76.9% in varicella hospitalization, compared to 2018 and 2019, respectively. Conclusions: Varicella AHC is an important economic and health assessment point and can be useful for improving preventive strategies.

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“…This means that the use of mAbs for COVID-19 in pediatric patients with chronic diseases could lead to a delay in vaccination, with a reduction in coverage for routine vaccines in the most fragile pediatric population. These concerns can have important implications in a historic moment such as this in which vaccination coverage has dropped significantly because parents skipped the vaccine appointment of their sons as they were afraid of SARS-CoV-2, or vaccination centers postponed the appointments because they were closed [ 28 , 29 ]. On the other hand, COVID-19 vaccines could actually represent the best option for vulnerable children and adolescents because of their cost-effectiveness [ 30 , 31 ], and the use of mAbs for COVID-19 treatment could negatively affect the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccines.…”

Section: Do the Benefits Of Monoclonal Antibody (Mabs) Treatment For Covid-19 In Children And Adolescents Really Outweigh The Risks?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Monoclonal Antibody to Treat COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents: Risk of Abuse of Prescription and Exacerbation of Health Inequalities

et al. 2021

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Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in infected patients are a new class of antiviral agents approved as a type of passive immunotherapy. They should be administered to adults and children (≥12 years old, weighing ≥ 40 kg) with SARS-CoV-2 positivity, and who are suffering from a chronic underlying disease and are at risk of severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. The aim of this manuscript is to discuss the benefit-to-risk of mAb therapy to treat COVID-19 in pediatric age, according to current reports. A problem is that the authorization for mAbs use in children was given without studies previously evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of mAbs in pediatric patients. Moreover, although the total number of children with chronic severe underlying disease is not marginal, the risk of severe COVID-19 in pediatric age is significantly reduced than in adults and the role of chronic underlying disease as a risk factor of severe COVID-19 development in pediatric patients is far from being precisely defined. In addition, criteria presently suggested for use of mAbs in children and adolescents are very broad and may cause individual clinicians or institutions to recommend these agents on a case-by-case basis, with an abuse in mAbs prescriptions and an exacerbation of health inequalities while resources are scarce. Several questions need to be addressed before their routine use in clinical practice, including what is their associated benefit-to-risk ratio in children and adolescents, who are the patients that could really have benefit from their use, and if there is any interference of mAb therapy on recommended vaccines. While we wait for answers to these questions from well-conducted research, an effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine for vulnerable pediatric patients remains the best strategy to prevent COVID-19 and represents the priority for public health policies.

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Pediatric routine vaccinations in the COVID 19 lockdown period: the survey of the Italian Pediatric Society

Cited by 15 publications

References 2 publications

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on routine immunization

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on routine immunization

Pediatric Hospitalization for Varicella in an Italian Pediatric Hospital: How Much Does It Cost?

Use of Monoclonal Antibody to Treat COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents: Risk of Abuse of Prescription and Exacerbation of Health Inequalities

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