Drop in Childhood Vaccination Rates Linked to Pandemic

Rates of childhood vaccinations have decreased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The researchers examined two data sources: Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) provider order data from CDC’s Vaccine Tracking System and Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) vaccine administration data.

They examined cumulative doses of non-influenza, VFC-funded vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) ordered at weekly intervals during two periods: January 7, 2019-April 21, 2019 and January 6, 2020-April 19, 2020.

Beginning a week after the national emergency declaration in the United States, Vaccine Tracking System data indicated notable decreases in orders of VFC-funded, ACIP-recommended non-influenza childhood vaccines and measles-containing vaccines compared with 2019.

“Parental concerns about potentially exposing their children to COVID-19 during well child visits might contribute to the declines observed. To the extent that this is the case, reminding parents of the vital need to protect their children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, is critical. As social distancing requirements are relaxed, children who are not protected by vaccines will be more vulnerable to diseases such as measles. In response, continued coordinated efforts between health care providers and public health officials at the local, state, and federal levels will be necessary to achieve rapid catch-up vaccination,” they concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:
Santoli JM, Lindley MC, DeSilva MB, et al. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine pediatric vaccine ordering and administration — United States, 2020. Published online May 8, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6919e2