Changes in vaccination coverage before and after COVID-19 pandemic in children under one year in the health district of Commune V in Bamako, Mali

Abstract Introduction Although an essential frontline service in the prevention of child morbidity and mortality, there are indications that routine vaccinations have been disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to compare vaccination coverage before COVID-19 in Mali in 2019 and one year after COVID-19 in 2020. Objective To compare vaccination coverages before COVID-19 in Mali in 2019 and one year after COVID-19 in 2020. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants We collected routine immunization data from 2019 and 2020 of children under one year in the health district of Commune V in Bamako which includes twelve community health centers (CSCom). Results Overall, vaccination coverage of the nine vaccines was higher in 2019 (89.4%) compared to 2020 (79%; p < 10− 3). In 2020, low proportions of children vaccinated were observed in May (54.8%) two months after the first COVID-19 case in Mali on March 25, 2020. For all vaccines, the mean number of children vaccinated in 2019 (before COVID-19) was significantly higher than those vaccinated in 2020 after COVID-19 (p < 0.05). However, in January 2019, the number of children vaccinated with Meningococcal A vaccine in Africa (MenAfriVac), Yellow fever vaccine (VAA) and Measles vaccine (VAR) was lower in 2019 compared to 2020 (p < 10− 3). Likewise in January 2019, in September 2019 and October 2019 BCG vaccine coverage was lower in 2019 compared to 2020 (p < 10− 3). Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic has affected routine childhood vaccine coverage in Commune V of Bamako, particularly in May 2020. Therefore, new strategies are needed to improve vaccine coverage in young children below 1.