50,000 Estimated Excess Deaths Globally owing to Disrupted Vaccination Routines

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A Lancet study analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the coverage of measles, rubella, humanpapillomavirus (HPV), Hepatitis B, Meningitis A, and yellow fever vaccinations. It revealed that nearly 50,000 additional deaths globally are estimated between 2020 and 2030 due to pandemic-related disruptions to immunization. The findings of the new research were published in The Lancet Global Health journal.

Of these additional deaths, more than 30,000 are predicted from Africa and around 13,000 from Southeast Asia predominantly due to disruptions in vaccine coverage for measles. Globally, a little over 44,500 excess deaths are estimated to be due to the disruption to measles immunization.

According to the study, the results highlighted the potential excess burden and opportunity for mitigation in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) African and South-East Asia regions, especially for measles. The international team of researchers also estimated that catch-up activity can avert around 80 per cent of the excess deaths between 2023 and 2030.

PTI reported, “These estimates are the first of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic related coverage disruption on vaccine effects and implications for mitigation of excess burden since estimates of coverage declines were published”.

The scientists used modeling groups from the Vaccine Impact Modeling Consortium from 112 low- and middle-income countries to estimate vaccine effect for 14 disease-causing pathogens. The consortium, hosted out of Imperial College, UK, coordinates with research groups to model the impact of vaccination programs worldwide, according to its website.

The study results emphasized the importance of timely catch-up activities and interventions to address affected vaccine cohorts, the researchers said. They also called for “continued global, concerted efforts” and “strong political commitment”, which will be essential for overcoming existing challenges and increasing healthcare resilience, PTI reported.