Pandemic halts vaccination for nearly 80 million children

coronavirus pandemic is interrupting immunization against diseases including measles, polio and cholera that could put lives of nearly 80 million children under of 1 at risk, according to a new analysis from World Health Organization and partners.

In a new report issued on Friday, health officials warned that more than half of 129 countries where immunization data were available reported moderate, severe or total suspensions of vaccination services during March and April.

“Disruption to immunization programs from COVID-19 pandemic threatens to unwind deces of progress against vaccine-preventable diseases like measles,” said WHO director-general Tedros ham Ghebreyesus in a statement. report was also produced by UNICEF, Sabin Vaccine Institute and GAVI.

UNICEF reported a significant delay in planned vaccine deliveries due to lockdown measures and a dramatic reduction in number of available flights. More than 40 of Africa's 54 nations have closed ir borders, though some allow cargo and emergency transport.

Officials also ted that 46 campaigns to vaccinate children against polio have been suspended in 38 countries, mostly in Africa, as a result of coronavirus pandemic. Measles campaigns have been suspended in 27 countries.

Experts say children need routine immunizations before of 2.

In April, WHO and partners reluctantly recommended a temporary halt to mass polio immunization campaigns aimed at ericating paralytic disease, recognizing move would le to a resurgence of highly infectious, water-borne disease.

Wiping out polio requires that more than 90 per cent of children be immunized, which is typically done in mass campaigns involving millions of health workers that would break social distancing guidelines needed to stop spre of COVID-19.

More than a dozen countries in Africa have reported polio outbreaks this year, all caused by a rare mutation in virus contained in vaccine. Health officials h originally hoped to ericate polio by 2000.

“We cant let our fight against one disease come at expense of long-term progress in our fight against or diseases,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF's executive director. “We have effective vaccines against measles, polio and cholera. While circumstances may require us to temporarily pause some immunization efforts, se immunizations must restart as soon as possible or we risk exchanging one dely outbreak for ar.” WHO said it would issue vice next week to countries on how to continue providing vaccination services safely during COVID-19.