Guiding principles for immunization activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Immunization is an essential health service which may be affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization guidance has been developed to provides principles and considerations to support countries in their decision-making regarding provision of immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance includes advice on the importance of maintaining safe immunization services. If immunization services are disrupted, it is important to plan for urgent catch-up vaccination of missed children when physical distancing measures are lifted. The guidance further recommends temporary suspension of preventive mass vaccination campaigns and provides advice on conducting careful risk assessment before implementing outbreak response vaccination, with attention to appropriate protective measures to avoid transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The guidance document can be found here on the WHO’s website.

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