The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Towards Complete Basic Immunization for Children

Abstract

Based on the data from the Public Health Office of Medan City about comprehensive immunization coverage in Medan Deli Public Health Center was 47,3% as of December 2020. This is qualitative research with in-depth interview and case study design. This research aims to know the regulations, health human resources and facility and infrastructure resources, and social environment conditions in the implementation of Complete Basic Immunization for children in Public Health Center Medan Deli during COVID-19 pandemic. The policy of immunization program underwent many changes. One of them is the postponement of immunization according to the official regulation from the Medan City government. The health officers for immunization program during COVID-19 pandemic were sufficient, however after the pandemic their responsibilities were increased. The health officers had to give COVID-19 vaccines to the public, while also had to give immunization to children. The facilities and infrastructure of immunization program were sufficient, but cadres and public who received health services from Integrated Healthcare Center hope that the facilities should be upgraded, e.g. scales and height metre. Moreover, the low enthusiasm of the public and lack of mother's information about the importance of immunization for children caused the low coverage of the immunization program in Public Health Center.