Barriers and facilitators to the uptake and delivery of routine childhood immunisations during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

Ishveer Singh Sanghera; Sadie Lawes-Wickwar

doi:10.3399/bjgp25X742269

Abstract

Background Childhood vaccination remains one of the most effective public health interventions worldwide in reducing infant mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic required creative approaches to continue the delivery of vaccination clinics.

Aim To understand the barriers and facilitators to the continuation of, and access to, community-based childhood vaccination clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method A systematic search strategy was conducted in January 2023 to identify articles published between 1 January 2020 and 16 January 2023 describing barriers and facilitators for healthcare professionals and parents. Two reviewers independently screened study eligibility and assessed quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results 6 studies: 5 mixed-methods and 1 qualitative, were included in the review. 4 studies surveyed parents (barriers/facilitators to vaccine uptake), and 2 studies interviewed healthcare professionals (barriers/facilitators to vaccine delivery).

The findings were categorised into 3 main barriers: parent/carer awareness of vaccine service continuation, risk of contracting COVID-19 and GP administrative issues. Two common facilitators identified included: robust call-recall and opportunistic recommendations from clinicians.

Conclusion The most commonly reported barriers were parents believing vaccine clinics were closed and safety concerns around contracting COVID-19. Public health messages, co-designed with patients, can consider being deployed to encourage parents to bring their children back to vaccination clinics.

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Barriers and facilitators to the uptake and delivery of routine childhood immunisations during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

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