Missed vaccination due in under 5 children during lockdown: is covid-19 a culprit?

Background: Immunization is the powerful tool to reduce the Under 5 mortality and morbidity. National Immunization schedule is prepared by ministry of health and Family Welfare; It makes vaccine free of cost. 1 Considering current situation where social restrictions and fear of COVID -19 has occupied entire nation , emphasis should be made on routine vaccination for children, reducing the risk for outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases. Aim and objective: To find out how many Under 5 children have missed vaccination in lockdown; To find out the reason for the missed vaccination. Methodology: This observational study was conducted among 160 under 5 age children visiting the D.Y.PATIL hospital Pediatric OPD in during June2020 to November 2020. Detailed immunization history noted and number of children who has missed vaccine and their reason noted. Result : Of total 168 study sample, 18% had missed vaccination. On assessing the reason for missing the due schedule , 45% due to closure of anganwadi , 29% due to fear of COVID,19% due to other illness, 7% gave reason as they were not notified. Conclusion: Vaccination for most vaccine preventable diseases are given free of cost to all children by government2 ,utilizing them are core responsibility as a citizen. This survey shows highest reason for missing routine vaccine as closure of anganwadi. As government has not given orders to close anganwadi ,public health should take adequate action to make sure all anganwadi should kept open even during strict lockdown and Action should be taken to create awareness to the public through social media and public sources by Public health agencies on need of continuation of routine vaccines in such adverse situation to prevent outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.