Childhood Immunization during COVID-19

Immunization, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the process whereby a person is made immune to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect a person against subsequent infectious disease. Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases. It is also one of the most cost-effective health investments.

Childhood immunization spans from birth to about six years of life. Diseases that children must be vaccinated against include polio, measles, whooping cough, tuberculosis, diphtheria, mumps, hepatitis B, influenza, tetanus, yellow fever and a few others. There is a schedule for the administration of these vaccines and it must be strictly adhered to.

It is important to vaccinate children because it helps their body to recognize and fight germs, viruses when they are exposed to it. This leads to the prevention of infectious diseases mentioned earlier. Immunization saves time and money that would treat vaccine-preventable diseases. It also protects the public through herd immunity and prevents spread of diseases to those that cannot be vaccinated. This protects future generations.

These are the reasons immunization during COVID-19 should be encouraged to continue. This will prevent an outbreak of life-threatening diseases like measles and polio as the world is now focusing on just the pandemic.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), about 13 million children miss out on vaccination every year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Only about 86% of children born are vaccinated yearly. This is because of many factors. We expect this number to increase during this period. The WHO have been encouraging government in all countries to see that they continue routine immunization for children.

Reports from the Democratic Republic of Congo show that the country is battling with measles outbreak with over 3, 000 cases since January 1. The UNICEF has been supporting the government with medical supplies and vaccines for other children.

FACTORS AFFECTING CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION DURING COVID-19

• Myths about COVID-19: False knowledge about this pandemic has led to the reduction in routine immunization for children. About a month ago, there were viral messages circulating on social media, WhatsApp to be precise about a vaccine for COVID-19 which will introduce the disease into people’s body. The message then preached against receiving any form of vaccination known or unknown.
• Border Closure: The closing of borders has reduced the effective transportation of medical supplies to countries in dire need of it. The WHO pointed out that flights are now very expensive, income countries would have to fund these trips and low-income countries would also have to look for alternatives.
• Fear: The fear of contacting the disease has prevented people from taking their children to the hospital for routine immunization. There has been a drastic reduction in the attendance of both patients and healthcare workers to health facilities.
• Shipment: since the onset of the pandemic, there’s has been about 70 – 80% rate in the shipment of medical supplies including vaccines. This makes it hard for countries all over the world to get an adequate supply of vaccines needed.
• Lack of information: some note that in Nigeria, most parents and caregivers are not aware that Primary Healthcare Centers are still offering routine immunization services.

SOLUTIONS

• Sustain immunization services. All government officials should take seriously this measure. They should also ensure are a safe environment for health workers and the community.
• Tracking: the records should track children who have missed out of their routine immunization in the healthcare centers. This will help to know the exact number of children to plan a catch-up immunization.
• Catch-up Schedule: after they have taken a proper record, they should set committees up for catch-up immunization schedules. This will ensure that they leave no child out of the routine immunization program during and after the pandemic.

Finally, immunization has been a vital method used by health workers in saving the life of the children and worthy of note that in Nigeria, the routine immunization service is still ongoing.

REFERENCES

World Health Organization

United Nations Children’s Fundhttp://www.health.mil/News/Articles/2020/05/10