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. 2024 Dec 24;13(1):6.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines13010006.

The Impact of COVID-19 on DTP3 Vaccination Coverage in Europe (2012-2023)

Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso  1   2   3 , Sara Guillen-Aguinaga  1   4 , Laura Guillen-Aguinaga  5 , Rosa Alas-Brun  1 , Miriam Guillen-Aguinaga  6 , Luc Onambele  7 , Enrique Aguinaga-Ontoso  8   9 , Esperanza Rayón-Valpuesta  10 , Francisco Guillen-Grima  1   2   3   11
Affiliations

The Impact of COVID-19 on DTP3 Vaccination Coverage in Europe (2012-2023)

Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine child immunization efforts, threatening to reverse progress in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases.

Materials and methods: We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on DTP3 vaccination in Europe by comparing trends before and after the pandemic using time series data from 2000 to 2023. Employing joinpoint regression, chi-square tests, and segmented regression analysis, we assessed DTP3 vaccination trends and coverage changes.

Results: The findings revealed significant regional disparities across Europe. Statistical models indicated reductions in DTP3 coverage in countries such as Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland, whereas Ukraine and San Marino showed improvements.

Conclusions: There are variations in the effect of COVID-19 on DTP3 coverage rates, indicating the need for targeted public health strategies to address vaccine hesitancy, logistical barriers, and systemic inequities.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic impact; DTP3 vaccination; Europe; vaccination trends.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The United Nations Classification of European Regions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Joinpoint graph of DTP3 in North Europe, 2000–2022, indicates joinpoints at the transitions between colored lines.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Joinpoint graph of DTP3 in South Europe, 2000–2022, indicates joinpoints at the transitions between colored lines.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Joinpoint graph of DTP3 in West Europe, 2000–2022, indicates joinpoints at the transitions between colored lines.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Joinpoint regression of DTP3 in Europe indicates joinpoints at the transitions between colored lines: (a) Albania, (b) Ireland, (c) Poland, (d) Slovakia, (e) Sweden, and (f) Switzerland.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Joinpoint regression of DTP3 in Europe indicates joinpoints at the transitions between colored lines: (a) Belgium and (b) Bosnia.
Figure 7
Figure 7
DTP3 coverage rates (%) changes in Europe in 2019 and 2023.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Segmented regression of DTP3 coverage in Europe.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Segmented regression of DTP3 coverage: (a) Northern, (b) Southern Europe, (c) Eastern Europe, and (d) Western Europe.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Segmented regression of DTP3 coverage: (a) San Marino, (b) Ukraine, (c) Iceland, and (d) Slovakia.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Segmented regression of DTP3 coverage: (a) Albania, (b) Austria, (c) Cyprus, (d) Estonia, (e) Ireland, and (f) Lithuania.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Segmented regression of DTP3 coverage: (a) Albania, (b) Austria, (c) Cyprus, (d) Estonia, (e) Ireland, and (f) Lithuania.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Segmented regression of DTP3 coverage: (a) Montenegro, (b) North Macedonia, (c) Poland, (d) Republic of Moldova, (e) Slovenia, (f) Lithuania, (g) Türkiye, and (h) United Kingdom.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Segmented regression of DTP3 coverage: (a) Montenegro, (b) North Macedonia, (c) Poland, (d) Republic of Moldova, (e) Slovenia, (f) Lithuania, (g) Türkiye, and (h) United Kingdom.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Counties in Romania with low vaccine coverage in red (a) Europe and (b) Romania.
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