Lancet Study Reveals Global Immunization Decline Amid Covid-19: Urgent Need for Catch-Up Vaccination Efforts

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

Global Immunisation Decline

• The Covid-19 pandemic led to a decline in global immunisation coverage, which increased disease burden and outbreak risks across various countries.
• It is estimated that disruptions to Measles, Rubella, HPV (Human Papillomavirus), Hepatitis B, meningitis A, and yellow fever vaccination could lead to approximately 49,119 additional deaths during the calendar years 2020–2030, with measles being the main contributor to this increase in mortality.
• For the years 2020–2030, disruptions in vaccination coverage across all 14 pathogens could result in a 2.66% reduction in the long-term effect, translating to a decrease in the number of deaths averted from 37,378,194 to 36,410,559.

Importance of Catch-Up Vaccines

• The importance of catch-up vaccines is emphasised, particularly for diseases like measles and yellow fever, which experienced an immediate increase in burden post-pandemic.
• Catch-up activities were found to be effective in averting excess deaths, with the potential to prevent approximately 79% of excess deaths related to measles, rubella, HPV, hepatitis B, and yellow fever.

Impact on DTP Vaccine Coverage

The pandemic impacted coverage for the Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP) vaccines, resulting in an additional 6 million children missing out on vaccination in 2021 globally.

Resurgence of Measles Cases

• There has been a resurgence of measles cases reported in several countries, including those where measles was previously considered eradicated, such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
• In 2021, nearly 61 million measles vaccine doses were postponed or missed due to Covid-19-related delays in immunisation campaigns in 18 countries.
• Furthermore, in 2022, there was an increase in measles cases and deaths globally compared to 2021 levels, with millions of children missing their vaccine doses, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and India.

Recommendations

• Effectiveness of Catch-Up Activities: The study suggested that implementing catch-up vaccination activities could potentially avert 78.9% of excess deaths between calendar years 2023 and 2030.
• This means that proactive catch-up efforts have the potential to significantly mitigate the adverse impacts of vaccine-coverage disruptions.
• Importance of Timing and Targeting of Catch-Up Activities: It is important for timely implementation of catch-up vaccination activities, tailored to specific cohorts and regions most affected by disruptions.
• This targeted approach can help improve vaccine coverage and mitigate the adverse effects of under-immunization.
  Significance of Continued Immunisation Efforts: Continued importance of sustained immunization efforts, particularly for vaccines like HPV is important, which play a crucial role in preventing cervical cancer.
• This underscores the necessity of ongoing vaccination campaigns even amidst disruptions to ensure long-term public health benefits.