Pediatric immunization practice during coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic

Abstract

At the end of 2019, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) started to spread worldwide and caused a pandemic in March 2020. Epidemiologic data of COVID-19 in the pediatric population are not certain. The pandemic also decreases routine immunization coverage in children which lead to increased risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreak. Routine immunization practice should be continued with due regard to health protocol. Children in contact with COVID-19 patients or children who previously have COVID-19 may be immunized after 14 days of symptomfree or confirmed negative by two polymerase chain reaction tests at a minimum interval of 24 h. Bacillus Calmette– Guerin, influenza, and pneumococcal immunization give a positive effect on COVID-19. Until present, there is no available vaccine for COVID-19.