Retracted: Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on routine vaccination coverage of children and adolescents: A systematic review

Abstract

Background and Aims Scientists and healthcare workers have expressed their concerns on the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on vaccination coverage in children and adolescents. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the studies addressing this issue worldwide. Methods We conducted a systematic search of relevant studies using the keywords on databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane on May 22, 2021. The identified records were imported into EndNote software and underwent a two‐phase screening process consisting of title/abstract and full‐text screenings against inclusion criteria. The data of the included studies were summarized into a table and the findings were analyzed in a systematic approach. Results From 26 eligible studies, 21 studies demonstrated decreased vaccination rates in the children during the COVID‐19 pandemic, while three studies found increased or no significant changes only in influenza vaccination. The two remaining studies from Brazil and Sweden also showed no significant changes in vaccination rates in the children during the pandemic. Conclusion Most of the reports worldwide reported a decline or delay in vaccination at the time of the COVID‐19 pandemic. A sustained catch‐up program seems to be necessary, especially in low‐income countries, to avoid any vaccine dose missing. Facilitating the vaccination process is recommended, such as decreasing the waiting time for vaccination at the health center, addressing the fear and concerns related to COVID infection for parents, and enhancing vaccine availability, and promoting access in remote areas. Countries should ensure proper vaccination to prevent future pandemics related to vaccine‐preventable diseases.

Recent Progress in Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Development Toward Heterosubtypic Immune Response

“…Several observational studies on patients, older populations and healthcare workers associated influenza vaccination with decreased COVID-19 infection rates, hospitalizations, morbidities, and mortalities, suggesting complementary protection by influenza vaccines against COVID-19 ( 6 – 11 ). A recent systematic review revealed that influenza vaccination increased in demand and acceptability among vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 12 ). Clinical trials involving concomitant administration of trivalent and quadrivalent (including recombinant) influenza vaccines and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have also showed no safety concerns or immune interference ( 13 , 14 ).…”

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported 12-month pneumococcal vaccination series completion rates in Canada: An interrupted time-series analysis

“…Ontime completion of immunization series for pneumococcal vaccine was defined as reception of three doses of pneumococcal vaccine before the child turns 13 months of age 22 .…”

“…These findings are consistent with results from studies emerging on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccines globally. In North America, studies in the United States of America, and the Dominican Republic have reported a decline of 5-18%, and 10% in vaccination coverage, respectively [20][21][22][23][24] . In South America, studies in Columbia and Brazil have reported a drop in vaccination coverage of 14.4-20% and 10 to 20%, respectively 25 .…”

“…The number of new records was counted monthly using the record’s unique identifiers on CANImmunize. Ontime completion of immunization series for pneumococcal vaccine was defined as reception of three doses of pneumococcal vaccine before the child turns 13 months of age 22 . It was calculated using the child’s date of birth, the date the child turned 13 months, and the number of doses of pneumococcal vaccines every child received in that period.…”

Evidence and rationale for vaccinating children and adolescents against SARS-CoV-2: a comprehensive narrative review

“…Despite the low overall COVID-19 mortality rate in children and adolescents, excess mortality rates were observed mainly but not exclusively in resource-limited critical care settings, and were associated with the presence of ARDS or organ dysfunction at admission, as well as select underlying comorbidities [26,61,62,64,[67][68][69]. In addition to the direct impact of the pandemic on pediatric mortality, the potentially indirect effects of COVID-19 on mortality in this vulnerable age group, stemming from disruptions to health services and preventative measures like routine immunization, should not be neglected [66,[70][71][72].…”