Surrounding Skepticism COVID vaccine Still plentiful, as there is a commotion across the United States to overturn lingering mandates, but experts point to a trend emerging with multiple vaccine types around the world.
A November study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the number of infants vaccinated against measles is declining. This is related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study found a steady decline in the proportion of young children measles vaccinationthe 2021 figures have reached their lowest point since 2008.
“One of the impacts of the COVID pandemic has been a performance regression in the ability to reach immunization programs to those in need. Approximately 17 million of the 23 million children who are not getting the vaccine they should have had never been vaccinated in routine immunization programs,” said World Health Organization leader Kate The O’Brien Immunization Program said in an April Q&A at World Immunization Week.
Coronavirus Vaccine Skepticism and How to Fight It, Experts Say
A health care professional administers the vaccine.
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“We are currently in a bit of a hole where about a decade’s worth of progress in immunization programs around the world has been lost,” she added.
The issue surfaced in Zimbabwe earlier this year. The country battled a devastating measles outbreak that the health ministry said had claimed more than 700 lives.
In South Africa, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NICD) expressed concern over 57 outbreaks in two provinces in a report last month.
In Europe, the war between Russia and Ukraine and low vaccination rates are believed to be behind a three-fold spike in measles cases among Ukrainian citizens, according to World Health Organization data. and CDC data show a small number of outbreaks in the United States, including one that swept Columbus, Ohio, this year.
CDC: Documents measles outbreak fueled by anti-vaccination propaganda
A patient with measles.
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UNICEF data, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, found that vaccine rates for other diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3), have also declined. 81% between 2019 and 2021, the lowest level since 2008.
“Global immunization will continue to decline in 2021, with 25 million children missing a life-saving vaccine, two million more than in 2020 and six million more than in 2019,” the agency said in July. wrote.
“The latest WHO/UNICEF National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) estimates show that DTP3 coverage has stagnated or declined in 112 countries since 2019, with 62 of them having decreased by at least 5%. or not vaccinated in 2021…” The article continued.
The CDC focused on other global immunization coverage declines last month.
More than two-thirds of African countries have not reached the 10% COVID vaccination target: WHO
This photo taken on March 5, 2021 shows the World Health Organization (WHO) sign at the entrance to the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva during the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. increase.
(FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
“Estimated global coverage of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) and the complete vaccine series was also lower in 2021 than in 2020 and 2019. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib), hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), polio vaccine (Pol), rubella-containing vaccine (RCV)”.
But the problem of vaccination is getting worse. pandemic emerges Most Americans are in their rearview mirrors, and health experts must find the culprit behind the dilemma.
Many point to supply chain problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially shortages in disadvantaged countries and communities around the world.
In the area of COVID-19 vaccines, UNICEF has echoed sentiment from the CDC, calling for greater prominence in some areas, such as COVID-related “disruptions to services and supply chains, diversion of resources to response efforts, and containment measures.” We have uncovered a possible cause of lack of control: limited access and availability to immunization services.”
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Income emerged as another cause, with high-income countries receiving more doses than low-income countries.
“In high-income countries, 80% received one dose of vaccine, compared with only 16% in low-income countries,” the report said.
The agency also pointed to other issues, such as living in a “vulnerable environment” and “misinformation” about vaccines, as possible contributing factors.
Other illnesses have wreaked havoc on children in the United States this year, including influenza and RSV epidemics.
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel highlighted the topic of “vaccine fatigue” on “Fox & Friends” last month, noting that the number of Americans getting the flu vaccine has fallen further this year. .
“Influenza vaccines have been around in some form since the 1950s,” he said, addressing criticism that the COVID vaccine was new. …the flu has spread to COVID levels, and a flu shot will help keep you out of the hospital.”
