The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the Expanded Program on Immunization: recommendations for sustaining vaccination goals

Currently, there is a dire need for a collaborative approach between global and national organizations to revive disrupted vaccination rates: * Most importantly, developed countries and international organizations should support LMICs by providing funding, vaccines, equipment, and HCPs for EPI centers. * The WHO, UNICEF, and other alliances for vaccination coverage should ensure a definite supply of vaccines in developed and developing countries. * International organizations should develop a surveillance system for following updates at the national level. * Countries should prioritize immunization as an essential health service, reopen existing EPI centers and services as soon as possible, introduce policies to increase the number of EPI centers, maintain the number of HCPs at EPI centers, and provide HCPs with PPE. * When organizing immunization campaigns, responsible departments should develop guidelines for infection prevention and control, such as managing patients in waiting rooms and increasing time slots at EPI centers. * To rectify the vaccination gaps identified during the pandemic, an immediate response is required. EPI vans should be sent to rural and undeveloped areas to increase access to vaccines. * Tele-health services, such as mobile phone applications and software, should be introduced, and can be used for vaccination schedules, reminders, and records, as well as to alert HCPs of children who have missed a number of vaccine doses. * Media should support such causes by creating awareness about vaccination and providing information about nearby EPI centers. * Pharmacies are easily accessible community-level sites for public healthcare services, and pharmacists have a potential role as vaccinators during the current health crisis. Take home messages * Encourage vaccinators to play a significant role in managing childhood vaccination. * Encourage parents to immunize their children against VPDs. * Enable pharmacists to organize vaccine awareness campaigns at the community level and to play a distinct role in supporting EPI centers and maintaining vaccine supply.