Inequalities in infant vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study in Peru

Al‐kassab‐Córdova, Ali; Silva-Perez, Claudia; Méndez-Guerra, Carolina; Sangster-Carrasco, Lucero; Arroyave, Iván; Cabieses, Báltica; Mezones‐Holguín, Edward

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.067

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(65 reference statements)

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“…Notably, a systematic review of 26 studies conducted in 2022 found that all but five showed significant reductions in immunization coverage during the pandemic [ 31 ]. Using a design similar to the one used here, a recent study in Peru found an 8% decrease in the immunization rate amongst infants aged 12–23 months between 2019 and 2021 [ 32 ]. Several dynamics likely combined to trigger this phenomenon, including supply difficulties, interruptions in vaccination campaigns, and reduced access to healthcare.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our results showed a growing range of predicted probabilities over the period, and the pandemic arguably increased the non-stationarity of the observed trends. Al-kassam-Cordova et al (2023) reported regional disparities in full-vaccination coverage amongst 12–23-month-old infants in Peru that were related to a variety of geographically distributed factors, including beliefs and customs as well as rugged geography with limited health system access [ 32 ]. This was also seen in another study in Burkina Faso showing that children aged 16–36 months living in the Centre Nord, Nord, and Sud-Ouest regions were less likely to be fully vaccinated for their ages than children in other study regions [ 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although COVID19 could have affected vaccination coverage through these two mechanisms, it is unlikely that the very brief interruption of mass campaigns could have had a significant impact on vaccination coverage, particularly among infants. Lastly, our study focused primarily on rural children and may not be generalizable to children living in urban areas, since studies have found significant differences in the effects of COVID-19 on vaccination coverage in different settings [ 32 , 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vaccination coverage in rural Burkina Faso under the effects of COVID-19: evidence from a panel study in eight districts

Cooper,

Bicaba,

Tiendrebeogo

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Improving infant immunization completion and promoting equitable vaccination coverage are crucial to reducing global under-5 childhood mortality. Although there have been hypotheses that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic would decrease the delivery of health services and immunization campaigns in low- and middle-income countries, the available evidence is still inconclusive. We conducted a study in rural Burkina Faso to assess changes in vaccination coverage during the pandemic. A secondary objective was to examine long-term trends in vaccination coverage throughout 2010–2021. Methods Using a quasi-experimental approach, we conducted three rounds of surveys (2019, 2020, 2021) in rural Burkina Faso that we pooled with two previous rounds of demographic and household surveys (2010, 2015) to assess trends in vaccination coverage. The study population comprised infants aged 0–13 months from a sample of 325 households randomly selected in eight districts (n = 736). We assessed vaccination coverage by directly observing the infants’ vaccination booklet. Effects of the pandemic on infant vaccination completion were analyzed using multi-level logistic regression models with random intercepts at the household and district levels. Results A total of 736 child-year observations were included in the analysis. The proportion of children with age-appropriate complete vaccination was 69.76% in 2010, 55.38% in 2015, 50.47% in 2019–2020, and 64.75% in 2021. Analyses assessing changes in age-appropriate full-vaccination coverage before and during the pandemic show a significant increase (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.14–2.85). Our models also confirmed the presence of heterogeneity in full vaccination between health administrative districts. The pandemic could have increased inequities in infant vaccination completion between these districts. The analyses suggest no disruption in age-appropriate full vaccination due to COVID-19. Our findings from our sensitivity analyses to examine trends since 2010 did not show any steady trends. Conclusion Our findings in Burkina Faso do not support the predicted detrimental effects of COVID-19 on the immunization schedule for infants in low- and middle-income countries. Analyses comparing 2019 and 2021 show an improvement in age-appropriate full vaccination. Regardless of achieving and sustaining vaccination coverage levels in Burkina Faso, this should remain a priority for health systems and political agendas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vaccination coverage in rural Burkina Faso under the effects of COVID-19: evidence from a panel study in eight districts

Cooper,

Bicaba,

Tiendrebeogo

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the administration of vaccines in Peru and other Latin American countries, thereby substantially reducing vaccination coverage, mainly among children under one year. 3 , 6 Complete OPV coverage among children in 2022 was 43.6% in Manseriche, 73.6% in Loreto, and 81.4% in Peru. 1 ( Fig.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Peru is a middle-income country with a fragmented, segmented, and inequitable health system, 2 whose child immunisation coverage is subjected to wide socio-economic and spatial inequalities, 3 despite being administered free of charge. 4 Throughout this millennium, the national immunisation schedule has undergone variations with the inclusion of new vaccines, many of which were based on an informed decision-making system.…”

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confidence: 99%