A Descriptive Observational Study of Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on Routine Immunization in Children at Tertiary Health Care Centre

ABSTRACT

Background:Immunization has crucial role in protecting a child from vaccine preventable infections. But during last year 2020, Due to ?COVID-19?pandemic, Routine& supplementary immunization and the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases have beenimpacted in many countries. This may lead to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. So, wehave opted this study to see impact of Covid 19 on routine immunization at vaccination centre of a tertiary care hospital. Aims: To assess effect of covid 19 pandemic on routine immunization. Material And Methods:This study was retrospective observational study, conducted at vaccination centre of tertiary care hospital of Ahmedabad. Data was retrieved from January 2019 to December 2020 from register of vaccination centre and entered in excel sheet and analysed individual month and vaccine wise. Result:Number of immunised children was lower in 2020 as compared to 2019. The result was significant at p<0.05 by Mann Whity test. Inj Td of 10 year was most affected and OPV0 & BCG was least affected. Maximum reduction in percentage was seen in May month and least in February. Conclusion:Health system should design strategies for catch-up vaccination to prevent surge of vaccine preventable disease.