Why vaccine coverage dropped during COVID-19 and is slow to recov
Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES)DRRES-70
This Rapid Response should be cited as
ACRES (2024) Why vaccine coverage, which dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, is slow to recover, particularly in Kampala and Wakiso; A Rapid Response Brief. Kampala: The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis
Summary
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions to routine immunisation globally. Even as pandemic restrictions have lifted, many countries including Uganda are struggling to recover lost ground in vaccine coverage. Findings: Reasons for the drop and slow recovery include facility closures and reduced hours, fear of COVID-19 infection at health facilities, community mistrust, caregiver economic constraints, health worker shortages, and weakened supply chains. Catch-up campaigns have had variable success. Conclusion: Sustainable recovery requires not just catch-up campaigns but structural reforms to make immunisation systems more resilient to future shocks.