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General practice Terapia 2020, 6 ( 389 ) :  40  -  47

Vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary: The first SARS-CoV-2 infection in Poland was detected on 04 March 2020. Since then, numerous limitations in social life and changes in the functioning of health care have been implemented. An epidemic was introduced, patient consultations have been limited except for urgent problems, and also, by the decision of the Minister of Health and the Chief Sanitary Inspector, the immunization programme for children and adolescents was suspended for 30 days (1). All these steps aimed to limit social contacts and prevent the spread of the epidemic. The analysis of the dynamics of new infections shows that this goal has been achieved ‒ the number of infections does not increase exponentially and the epidemic curve becomes flattened (2). At the same time, forecasts indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may remain in the population causing periodic increases in the incidence of the disease, so restrictions in social contacts may be needed even until 2022 or until emergence of the vaccine or effective drugs (3). Therefore, it is necessary to adapt the organization of medical care so that all health services can be restored, with maintaining epidemiological safety for both sides – medical staff and patients. Primary care physicians face a huge challenge as further postponement of vaccination, checkups or screening may result in an increase in morbidity and deterioration of other population health indicators. The article presents the principles of organization and priorities for the implementation of preventive vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Minister of Health and the Chief Sanitary Inspector and the recommendations of the Polish Pediatric Society and national consultant in the field of paediatrics.
Keywords: vaccinations, COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 virus, immunization services, pertussis, pneumococci, influenza, tickborne encephalitis

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