IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE ON THE UPTAKE OF ROUTINE CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN MUMBAI.

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic response has impacted the delivery of healthcare, including routine childhood immunisation. This manuscript studies the extent of this impact. To assess the decline in daily average routine childhood immunisation uptake compared toObjectives the baseline level and to assess the problems faced by the beneciaries in accessing the immunisation services during the pandemic period at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai. Data of daily routine childhood immunisations in the year 2019 and 2020 was collected from theMethods immunisation records register of Child Welfare Centre (CWC) of the tertiary care centre. The baseline (2019) and the COVID-19 lockdown period data were compared to analyse the impact on daily routine childhood immunisation uptake. Guardians of beneciaries visiting the CWC from 24 December 2020 to 23 January 2021 were interviewed using a questionnaire to study the causes of delayed/missed immunisations. ThereResults was 24.62% decline (p<0.05) in the number of immunisations administered in 2020 compared to 2019. Fear of COVID-19 infection (45.9%), migration to hometown due to lockdown (13.11%), travelling restrictions during lockdown (9.84%) and miscellaneous reasons (31.15%) were the reasons given by the 93 guardians interviewed for delayed/missed immunisations (63.16%). COVID-19 pandemic response has led toConclusion a disruption in immunisation services, leading to a drop in uptake. Childhood immunisation and implementation of strategies to achieve signicant immunisation coverage should be prioritised during pandemics.