Recovering and improving vaccination rates is a global priority, following a significant decline in immunizations due to Covid-19. Protecting infants and children against preventable diseases is a sound investment in their health and future.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends starting vaccination from early childhood, since newborns and infants are more vulnerable and need to activate their bodies’ natural defenses. Childhood vaccination is essential because it boosts immunity before children are exposed to diseases that can cause death or medium and long-term consequences. For this reason, it is demanded that most vaccines are given during the first two years of life.

The positive impact of vaccination on the world’s population, and especially on children, is beyond doubt. According to UNICEF, immunizations save the lives of between two and three million children every year(de Waal Foundation, 2024).

However, the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly altered many aspects of daily life, and one of the most affected was access to essential health services, including regular medical check-ups and childhood immunization schedules.

Figures

According to figures published by this organization, it was evidenced that between 2019 and 2020, vaccination rates worldwide dropped from 86% to 83%. Among the most affected population are children under one year of age, since it is estimated that 67 million of these infants did not receive basic vaccines in that period. (Unicef, 2023).

The year 2021 saw the largest decline in childhood immunization in 30 years. Millions of children worldwide were not vaccinated against preventable diseases such as measles, polio or diphtheria.

This reduction was due to the fact that the confinements interrupted mass immunization campaigns, and thus the schedules established by each country to comply with national vaccination schedules suffered delays and suspensions. Similarly, the closure of medical establishments and health centers limited access to regular pediatric check-ups, which meant that the development of babies and infants during the crucial stage of early childhood could not be observed.

The decrease in immunizations at the global level has had important effects, such as the emergence of outbreaks of diseases that had disappeared or were under control in various regions. Such is the case of measles and scarlet fever, which affected several countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa. In this regard, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) points out that, “vaccination against measles – one of the most infectious pathogens – has not recovered as well as other vaccines, putting an additional 35.2 million children at risk of this infection. Coverage of the first dose against measles increased to 83% in 2022 from 81% in 2021, but remained lower than the 86% achieved in 2019.” (PAHO, 2023).

Another phenomenon, derived from Covid-19, has been the misinformation that has arisen around the manufacture, efficacy and safety of vaccines, encouraged by the anti-vaccine movement. Messages against all immunizations have had an impact on the perception of the preventive capacity of these drugs, leading to a decrease in vaccination worldwide.

These situations put not only unvaccinated children at risk, but also entire communities, by weakening the herd immunity that protects even those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

A road to recovery

After the critical phase, a process of recovery of vaccination schedules has been observed, driven by an increase in mass immunization campaigns, the identification of children who did not receive their vaccinations during the pandemic and subsequent years, as well as the integration of vaccination services with other medical care, in order to catch up with the vaccination schedule.

Likewise, communication campaigns have been reinforced with clear messages through various channels on the fundamental aspects of vaccination to counteract the effects of misinformation generated by anti-vaccine groups.

In 2022, Latin America managed to halt this drop in vaccination coverage. Thus, the first dose of diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccine reached 90%, compared to 86% in 2021. The vaccination rate with the third dose of this vaccine also rose to 83% compared to 81% in the previous year.

“The rest of the vaccines, which protect against diseases such as polio, human papillomavirus and rotavirus, have improved their coverage, with the exception of the first dose of measles vaccine, which dropped from 85% in 2021 to 84% in 2022,” PAHO explained.

The pandemic taught important lessons, including the need for more resilient and accessible health systems. Strengthening childhood immunization programs is not only key to preventing disease, but also to building a strong public health foundation.

From the de Waal Foundation (FdW) we promote a culture of prevention of diseases and deficiencies that may cause some type of disability in unborn children and during early childhood, and therefore we recommend starting and maintaining the vaccination schedules approved by health agencies and medical professionals.

Consult our note: Childhood vaccination is a commitment to health and development to learn about the vaccination schedule that must be complied with up to 24 months of age.

Learn more about the importance of vaccination for maternal and child health in our live:

Sources

• The State of the World’s Children Report 2023: For Every Child, Immunization, Unicef, 2023.
• Childhood immunization begins to recover after COVID-19 setback, PAHO, 2023.
• The impact of the pandemic on vaccination coverage in Spain: a challenge for pediatrics and public health, Anales de Pediatría, 2023.
• Childhood vaccination is a bet for health and development, de Waal Foundation, 2023.
• Vaccination Week in the Americas: Participate now to protect your future, de Waal Foundation, 2024.