Maintaining routine vaccination during the COVID‐19 pandemic

To the Editor: Restrictions and concerns associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have led to decreased routine immunisation coverage in many countries, including the United Kingdom1 and the United States.2 Australian data showing the COVID‐19 pandemic’s impact on vaccination coverage are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical Journal of Australia 2021-02, Vol.214 (2), p.93-93.e1
Main Authors: Kaufman, Jessica, Attwell, Katie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australia
COVID-19 - epidemiology
COVID‐19
Facilities and Services Utilization
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Pandemics
Preventive health services
Public health
SARS-CoV-2
Vaccination
Vaccination Coverage - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:To the Editor: Restrictions and concerns associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have led to decreased routine immunisation coverage in many countries, including the United Kingdom1 and the United States.2 Australian data showing the COVID‐19 pandemic’s impact on vaccination coverage are not yet available, but it has disrupted services provided by the National Immunisation Program, which funds vaccination for children, adolescents, adults and special risk groups. Employment changes related to COVID‐19 may also exacerbate cost barriers for people at risk of under‐immunisation, such as migrants, international students, asylum seekers and refugees.5 To improve access, some jurisdictions have successfully established drive‐through vaccine clinics, and pharmacists in some states have been granted expanded permission to vaccinate children against influenza. COSSI Working Group: Cristyn Davies is a researcher within the Wellbeing Health and Youth National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Adolescent Health (APP 1134984).
ISSN:0025-729X
1326-5377
DOI:10.5694/mja2.50919