Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Immunisation Programmes in Ibadan Metropolis, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic disrupted routine immunisation (RI) services. Reports from low- and middle-income countries remain inconsistent and under-represented. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on RI, assess the perspectives of caregivers on service provision and pandemic preparedness in a Nigerian city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 among consecutive mother-child pairs attending four high-volume immunisation clinics: a public primary, a secondary, a tertiary, and a private healthcare facility. Vaccine uptake and caregivers’ experiences were determined, while multivariable logistic regression models were used to predict missed immunisations. Results: A total of 416 mother-child pairs were enrolled. Males were 223 (53.6%), while children aged 7-12 months were 59.6% (248/416). Uptake of Expanded Programme on Immunisation vaccines were as follows: Bacillus Calmette