Uptake of infant and preschool immunisations in Scotland and England during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study of routinely collected data.
Fiona McQuaidRachel H MulhollandYuma Sangpang RaiUtkarsh AgrawalHelen E BedfordJ Claire CameronCheryl GibbonsPartho RoyAziz SheikhTing ShiColin R SimpsonJudith TaitElise TessierStephen W TurnerJaime Villacampa OrtegaJoanne WhiteRachael WoodPublished in: PLoS medicine (2022)
In this study, we observed that the national lockdown in Scotland was associated with an increase in timely childhood immunisation uptake; however, in England, uptake fell slightly. Reasons for the improved uptake in Scotland may include active measures taken to promote immunisation at local and national levels during this period and should be explored further. Promoting immunisation uptake and addressing potential vaccine hesitancy is particularly important given the ongoing pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.