Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Immunization Practices in Rwanda - Takeaways - MDSpire

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Immunization Practices in Rwanda

  • By

  • Edward Mbonigaba

  • Fengyun Yu

  • Mark Donald C. Reñosa

  • Frederick Nchang Cho

  • Qiushi Chen

  • Wenjin Chen

  • Claudia M. Denkinger

  • Shannon A. McMahon

  • Simiao Chen

  • January 24, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted routine immunization (RI) services globally, including in Rwanda, leading to significant declines in vaccination coverage.

  • 2

    In Rwanda, DTP3 vaccine coverage among children dropped by 81% in 2021, marking the largest decline in childhood immunization in 30 years.

  • 3

    Adaptive measures in Rwanda, such as integrated service delivery and community health worker participation, aimed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on immunization.

  • 4

    Factors like limited mobility, fear of infection, and misinformation contributed to vaccine hesitancy and resistance to regular immunization during the pandemic.

  • 5

    Understanding socio-demographic factors influencing immunization persistence is crucial for future recovery efforts and enhancing health system resilience.

Original Source(s)

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child Immunization Practices in Rwanda

  • by Edward Mbonigaba, Fengyun Yu, Mark Donald C. Reñosa, Frederick Nchang Cho, Qiushi Chen, Wenjin Chen, Claudia M. Denkinger, Shannon A. McMahon, Simiao Chen

  • January 24, 2026

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