Routine Immunization Uptake During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross- Sectional Study at an Urban Health Training Centre in Sangli District

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the health systems, resulting in around 25 million children
missing out on immunization in the year 2021 globally with a sustained drop since 2020. Our study aimed to
estimate the proportions of delayed and missed routine immunization with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic,
among beneficiaries at an Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) in Sangli district.
Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the immunization clinic of a UHTC in Sangli
district, among beneficiaries that availed services of routine immunization & six-monthly vitamin A dose during
the month of October 2022 at the center. Study participants were enrolled following predefined inclusion and
exclusion criteria. Data on the complete vaccination status of each participant was collected from the vaccination
cards and details of delayed & missed immunization were analyzed and statistical tests applied.
Results: 548 beneficiaries were included in the study. Among them, 196 beneficiaries had at least one vaccine dose that
was missed and 295 of them had at least one vaccine that was delayed. 352 of them, i.e. 64% of the study participants
received all age-appropriate vaccination. There was a statistically significant increase in delayed immunization
during the COVID-19 pandemic from 32% to 60% & missed immunization increased from 11% to 43%.
Conclusion: Immunization services have been disrupted severely during the pandemic, putting children at risk
for vaccine-preventable diseases. Disrupted vaccination peaked during the peak of the pandemic. There is an
urgent need to intensify efforts for catch-up vaccination to address backsliding on routine immunization.