November 11, 2022
Global Impact
- 15 million deaths because of COVID-19 in 2021
- Disruption of routine childhood immunization increased worldwide from 33% to 55% in 2021
- 25% of children are vaccinated according to regional recommended schedules
- 17% more children did not receive diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus third dose (DPT3) in 2020 compared to 2019 worldwide
- 60% of children who did not receive DPT3 in 2020 live in 10 low- and middle- income countries, including India
- 7% less children received DPT3 in 2020 than in 2019 in India
32 million children were born in India between 2020 and 2021
2.5 million doses of DPT3 were missed during this time
Children born in India during COVID-19
2 to 10% lower probability of immunization AND 3 to 5% lower probability of vaccination
Immunization decreases
were greater for vaccines received later in the schedule and affected more male children in rural settings
Drivers of reduced vaccination capacity include
- National lockdowns
- Reduction in community health care services
- Compromised quality of care from health workers
- Community stigma
US$ 560 million is needed to reach 90% routine vaccination coverage worldwide
Countries can:
- Prepare to provide safer access to routine immunizations during future lockdowns
- Assume the cost of catch-up vaccines for children who missed doses
