Objective:

To investigate the socio-demographic traits related to the persistence of routine immunisation in mothers in Rwanda during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically defining 'persistence' as the continued engagement with vaccination services despite disruptions.

Key Findings:

• Routine immunisation coverage in Rwanda temporarily dropped during the pandemic, reflecting global trends, with a reported decrease of X% in DTP3 coverage.
• The DTP3 vaccine coverage among children aged 1 to 18 decreased significantly in 2021, with a drop of Y% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
• Disruptions were caused by lockdowns, health facility closures, and resource diversion to COVID-19 response, affecting Z% of vaccination appointments.
• Misinformation and fear of contracting COVID-19 at health facilities contributed to vaccine hesitancy, with A% of parents expressing concerns.

Interpretation:

Despite Rwanda's resilient health system and adaptive measures, the pandemic led to significant declines in immunisation coverage, highlighting the urgent need for targeted recovery strategies to restore and enhance vaccination rates.

Limitations:

• Limited evidence on the impact of individual socio-demographic factors on immunisation persistence, particularly in rural versus urban settings.
• Potential biases in data collection during the pandemic, including underreporting and misclassification of vaccination status.

Conclusion:

Understanding socio-demographic determinants is crucial for future immunisation recovery efforts and enhancing health system resilience against public health crises, particularly by tailoring interventions to specific community needs.