Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Routine Childhood Immunization: A Saudi Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Routine childhood immunization is the most cost-effective method to prevent infection and decrease childhood morbidity and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected access to health care in Saudi Arabia, including mandatory vaccinations for young children. We aimed to assess the prevalence of intentionally delayed vaccinations in children aged ≤ 2 years during the COVID-19 pandemic curfew in Saudi Arabia, its relation to the caregivers' fear of infection, and identifying factors affecting the caregivers' decision.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered survey that targeted primary caregivers of children aged ≤ 2 years residing in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic curfew (March 4–July 6, 2020).Results: We received responses from 577 caregivers, of whom 90.8% were mothers. The prevalence of intentional vaccination delay was 37%. Upon adjusting the potential confounders, the odds of delaying scheduled childhood vaccination because of COVID-19 pandemic fears were greater among caregivers with higher levels of fear (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.11). Common reasons for delaying vaccinations were COVID-19 infection and prevention of exposure to COVID-19 cases.Conclusion: Intentional vaccination delay leaves young children vulnerable to preventable infectious diseases. Identifying these children and offering catch-up vaccinations reduces this risk. Campaigns to increase awareness about the dangers of delaying vaccine-preventable diseases must be promoted to caregivers in addition to the promotion of home vaccination services. In preparation for future pandemics, we recommend countries consider interventions to control the level of fear and anxiety provoked by the pandemics and media, and interventions for improved access to vaccinations.

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Routine Childhood Immunization Status in Saudi Arabia During COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries ◽

10.24911/ijmdc.51-1610732779 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Alanoud Aljarbou ◽

Nadeef Alqahtani ◽

Amani Abu-Alnaja ◽

Abdulaziz Alshahrani ◽

Abdulaziz Aldayel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Childhood Immunization ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Immunization Status ◽

Routine Childhood

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Maternal Knowledge on Routine Childhood Immunization: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study in Rural Area of Mon State, Myanmar

Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases ◽

10.9734/ajrid/2020/v3i230121 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Aung Zaw Htike ◽

San San Myint Aung ◽

Win Myint Oo

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Rural Area ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Knowledge Level ◽

Maternal Knowledge ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Childhood Immunization ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Routine Childhood

Aims: To determine the knowledge on routine childhood immunization and the factors associated with it among mothers in rural area of Mon State, Myanmar during 2017. Study Design: A community based cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Rural area of Mon State, Myanmar, between June and August 2017. Methodology: We included 302 mothers who had 18 to 23 months old children using multistage random sampling. Face-to-face interview was applied in data collection. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were utilized in data analysis. Results: More than three fourths of mothers (76.2%) had good knowledge level on routine childhood immunization. There was a significant association between maternal knowledge and immunization status of their children (p<0.001). Logistic regression showed that the husband’s occupation was significantly associated with maternal knowledge (p=0.02). Conclusion: Majority of mothers have good knowledge on routine childhood immunization. However, health education campaign should be intensified to improve their knowledge level, especially among mothers whose husbands are blue-collar workers.

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Parental Awareness and Attitude about Childhood Immunization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18168455 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (16) ◽

pp. 8455

Author(s):

Shuaa Z. Alshammari ◽

Isamme AlFayyad ◽

Youssef Altannir ◽

Mohamad Al-Tannir

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Parental Education ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Childhood Immunization ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Validated Questionnaire

Parental beliefs about vaccination are one of the main factors in reaching high vaccination rates. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the awareness and attitudes regarding routine childhood immunization among Saudi parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This survey, with a pretested 18-item questionnaire, was conducted on parents having at least one child from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 1 May 2019 and 1 November 2019. The validated questionnaire consisted of three sections; participants’ demographics, awareness, and attitude regarding the immunization of their children. In total, 1200 parents participated in the study, 883 (73.3%) of the parents scored a good knowledge of childhood immunization, and 93% knew that routine vaccination protects children from infectious diseases and their complications. Around 10% stated that immunization can cause autism. Only parents in age groups 30–39 and 40–49 were 1.76 (p < 0.05) times and 1.92 (p < 0.05) times, respectively, more likely to exhibit good knowledge. About 522 (43.6) of the parents attained a positive attitude toward immunization. Adherence to the immunization schedule was confirmed important by 93%, while 91% presumed that immunization keeps their children healthy. Additionally, immunization was perceived as important by 94% of parents and only 8% agreed that immunization is prohibited by religion. Females were 1.45 (p < 0.05) times more likely to exhibit positive attitudes than males. Parents have good knowledge and a positive attitude towards child immunization. However, parental education should be focused on the fact that religion supports immunization, and more awareness should be focused on the lack of correlation between autism and vaccination.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Childhood Immunization in Saudi Arabia

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8040581 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 581

Author(s):

Mohammed Alsuhaibani ◽

Aqeel Alaqeel

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Age Group ◽

Childhood Immunization ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Routine Childhood ◽

Large Household ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting national and international public health. Routine childhood immunization may be adversely affected by COVID-19 mitigation measures. We aimed to identify the prevalence of delayed immunization and explore the reasons and barriers for delayed immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire for parents of children under two years of age during the period from 1 May to 30 June 2020. Most of the 749 participants (82.6%) were mothers, with 31 to 40 years being the most common age group (49.8%). Nearly three-quarters (73.2%) of the parents had appointments scheduled for their child’s vaccination during the pandemic, and approximately 23.4% of the parents reported a delay of more than one month in the immunization of their child. The most common reason for the delay was the fear of being infected by COVID-19 (60.9%). Large household size and lack of insurance were risk factors for immunization delay. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the timeliness of routine childhood immunization in Saudi Arabia. Childhood immunization should be prioritized, as well as the implementation of focused strategies to achieve significant and sustainable vaccination rates during pandemics.

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