COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Childhood Immunization Disparities. WMJ 2022 Apr;121(1):58-60
Date
04/21/2022Pubmed ID
35442581Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85128797680 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to measure the recovery of routine pediatric immunization after a period of reduced vaccine administrations in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS: We recorded data on vaccines administered in Children's Wisconsin primary care or urgent care clinics from January 2019 through December 2020 and aggregated data by date and insurance type.
RESULTS: During the gradual reopening period after week 21 in 2020, vaccine administration returned to prepandemic levels for children with commercial insurance but remained below baseline rates until the end of 2020 for children with Medicaid insurance.
DISCUSSION: The decline in pediatric vaccination in 2020 disproportionately affected children with Medicaid insurance.
Author List
Lehrer BJ, Lawton L, Kastens A, Malmstadt L, Rohloff R, Havens PL, Huppler ARAuthor
Anna H. Huppler MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Ambulatory Care FacilitiesChild
Humans
Immunization
Immunization Programs
Pandemics
United States
Vaccination
Vaccines