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. 2020 Aug;111(4):469-472.
doi: 10.17269/s41997-020-00385-4. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

COVID-19 and missed routine immunizations: designing for effective catch-up in Canada

Noni E MacDonald  1   2 , Jeannette L Comeau  3   4 , Ève Dubé  5   6 , Lucie M Bucci  7
Affiliations

COVID-19 and missed routine immunizations: designing for effective catch-up in Canada

Noni E MacDonald et al. Can J Public Health. 2020 Aug.

Abstract
in English, French

COVID-19 has led to disruption in routine immunization programs around the globe and here in Canada. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) in Canada has indicated that this sets the stage for serious outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The World Health Organization has evidence-based guidance on how to address missed opportunities for vaccination, albeit predominately applicable for low- and middle-income countries. In Canada, immunization applies beyond infant and childhood immunization, with immunization across the life course being recommended by NACI. Three components stand out and must be integrated and used concurrently for best effect on catch-up in Canada: (1) Identify who has been missed across the life course; (2) detect delivery gaps, adapt and adjust, and develop multipronged tailored strategies for catch-up; and (3) communicate, document, evaluate and readjust the immunization programs. All must be adapted to the reality of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot go back to a pre-COVID-19 world. However, ensuring that routine immunization and catch-up programs are done well during this pandemic strengthens the immunization foundation in Canada for when COVID-19 vaccines become available.

La pandémie de la COVID-19 a perturbé les programmes de vaccination systématique autour du monde et ici au Canada. Le Comité Consultatif National sur l’Immunisation (CCNI) au Canada a indiqué que ces perturbations pourraient entraîner des éclosions sévères de maladies évitables par la vaccination. L’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé a émis des recommandations fondées sur des données probantes afin de diminuer les occasions manquées de vaccination, ces recommandations s’appliquant toutefois principalement aux pays en voie de développement. Au Canada, la vaccination vise tous les groupes d’âge et non seulement les nourrissons et les enfants, la vaccination tout au long du cycle de la vie étant recommandée par le CCNI. Trois éléments doivent être mis de l’avant, intégrés et utilisés de façon concomitante afin d’optimiser le rattrapage de la vaccination au Canada : 1) identifier quelles sont les personnes qui n’ont pas reçu les vaccins recommandés à travers tous les groupes d’âge; 2) adapter l’organisation des services de vaccination, détecter les enjeux et développer des interventions à composantes multiples pour optimiser le rattrapage; et 3) communiquer, décrire, évaluer et réajuster les programmes de vaccination. Tout doit être adapté pour s’ajuster à la réalité d’une pandémie de la COVID-19 en constante évolution. Nous ne pouvons pas retourner à un monde « pré-COVID-19 ». Toutefois, nous assurant que les programmes de vaccination systématique et de rattrapage sont bien exécutés durant cette pandémie renforcera les fondements de la vaccination au Canada afin de nous rendre prêts lorsque les vaccins contre la COVID-19 seront disponibles.

Keywords: COVID-19; Immunization catch-up programs; Routine immunization.

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