European Pediatric Societies Call for an Implementation of Regular Vaccination Programs to Contrast the Immunity Debt Associated to Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic in Children

Association of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Invasive Pneumococcal Disease, Pneumococcal Carriage, and Respiratory Viral Infections Among Children in France

“… 13 , 35 This suggestion has been supported by findings from a simulation study 37 and may be confirmed by the recent epidemiological patterns observed in several countries. 13 Our findings regarding the unchanged ecological niche of S pneumoniae suggest no decrease in natural immunity to pneumococcal serotypes. However, given the substantial consequences of RSV and influenza for IPD changes that we highlighted, a larger influenza or RSV outbreak may produce an increase in IPD incidence after relaxation of NPIs, despite unchanged pneumococcal carriage rates.…”

“… 12 In France, the 2020 to 2021 bronchiolitis outbreak was delayed by 3 months, and the peak was reduced by one-half, with no influenza outbreak reported during the year after NPI implementation. 13 Furthermore, a large decrease in the incidence of IPD was reported worldwide after these measures were implemented. 14 We therefore aimed to identify, using estimated fraction of change, the changes in IPD incidence after NPI implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the association of these changes with concomitant changes in pneumococcal carriage and respiratory viral infections (specifically RSV and influenza cases) among children in France.…”

Trends in pediatric ambulatory community acquired infections before and during COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective multicentric surveillance study in France

“…NPIs may have altered these mechanisms of acquisition of immunity against viruses and bacteria for a large number of children and may represent “collateral damage” raising fears of the occurrence of an immunity debt. 8 , 9 , 10 Various studies have reported a marked increase in the incidence of different diseases in 2021, supporting the relevance of the concept of immunity debt for RSV and enterovirus. 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 …”

“… 16 The increase of gastroenteritis cases in France in comparison with other countries is probably associated with the fact that vaccination against rotavirus was not recommended in France and immunity debt could not thusly be attenuated by vaccine program. 9 …”

Epidemiologic Changes Caused by the Preventive Measures for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: An Additional Challenge for Pediatricians

“…After WHO declared pandemic status and implemented restrictive measures to counter the spread of SARS-CoV-2, there was a reduction in major pediatric diseases caused by common seasonal viruses 1 , 2 . the typical increase in pediatric outpatient visits and workload in emergency rooms and hospital wards that characterizes the winter season, usually dominated by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza viruses, were not seen.…”