Open AccessRetracted: Impact of COVID ‐19 pandemic on routine vaccination coverage of children and adolescents: A systematic review
Author(s) -
SeyedAlinaghi SeyedAhmad,
Karimi Amirali,
Mojdeganlou Hengameh,
Alilou Sanam,
Mirghaderi Seyed Peyman,
Noori Tayebeh,
Shamsabadi Ahmadreza,
Dadras Omid,
Vahedi Farzin,
Mohammadi Parsa,
Shojaei Alireza,
Mahdiabadi Sara,
Janfaza Nazanin,
Keshavarzpoor Lonbar Abolfath,
Mehraeen Esmaeil,
Sabatier JeanMarc
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
health science reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.462
H-Index - 7
ISSN - 2398-8835
DOI - 10.1002/hsr2.516
Subject(s) - vaccination , pandemic , medicine , systematic review , covid-19 , environmental health , web of science , inclusion (mineral) , family medicine , medline , meta analysis , disease , immunology , psychology , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , law , social psychology
Background and Aims Scientists and healthcare workers have expressed their concerns on the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on vaccination coverage in children and adolescents. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the studies addressing this issue worldwide. Methods We conducted a systematic search of relevant studies using the keywords on databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane on May 22, 2021. The identified records were imported into EndNote software and underwent a two‐phase screening process consisting of title/abstract and full‐text screenings against inclusion criteria. The data of the included studies were summarized into a table and the findings were analyzed in a systematic approach. Results From 26 eligible studies, 21 studies demonstrated decreased vaccination rates in the children during the COVID‐19 pandemic, while three studies found increased or no significant changes only in influenza vaccination. The two remaining studies from Brazil and Sweden also showed no significant changes in vaccination rates in the children during the pandemic. Conclusion Most of the reports worldwide reported a decline or delay in vaccination at the time of the COVID‐19 pandemic. A sustained catch‐up program seems to be necessary, especially in low‐income countries, to avoid any vaccine dose missing. Facilitating the vaccination process is recommended, such as decreasing the waiting time for vaccination at the health center, addressing the fear and concerns related to COVID infection for parents, and enhancing vaccine availability, and promoting access in remote areas. Countries should ensure proper vaccination to prevent future pandemics related to vaccine‐preventable diseases.