A new analysis from researchers at the One Health Trust, Population Council, and Johns Hopkins University has shown that children in India experienced lower routine immunization coverage and greater delays in immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from India’s National Family Health Survey 2019-2021, the team found that COVID-affected children (eligible for a vaccine after 30th January 2020) had lower coverage of several vaccines compared to their COVID-unaffected siblings.
Coverage was reduced by 2% for BCG, 9% for hepB0, and 10% for polio3, while there was no significant difference in MCV1 coverage. Coverage reduction was greater for vaccines doses given at later age groups. The rate of timely receipt of polio and DPT vaccine doses was also 3%-5% lower among COVID-affected children relative to unaffected children.
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