Journal 2026 Vol.27 No.1
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Some Vaccine-Preventable Diseases at a Tertiary Government Hospital in the Philippines
Cressie Anne A. Allanigue, M.D., Arlene S. Dy-Co, M.D.
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives: Limited research has been conducted in the Philippines to look into cases of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, measles, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in children admitted at a tertiary government hospital in the Philippines.
Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study of admitted pediatric patients diagnosed with pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, measles, and Hib disease from January 2018-December 2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) and January 2022-December 2023 (post-COVID-19 pandemic). The study utilized a retrospective review of patient medical records.
Results: Ninety-five charts were reviewed (31 pre-pandemic and 64 post-pandemic). For both periods, the incidence of VPDs was highest among patients 0-12 months old (80.65% pre-pandemic and 73.44% post-pandemic). The majority did not receive the recommended age-appropriate vaccines (85.71% pre-pandemic, 61.22% post-pandemic). During both time periods, majority of cases had no co-morbidities. There was a significant drop in measles admissions (99.6%, p-value of <0.0001), and a significant increase in Hib admissions (0.30%, p-value of <0.0001) after the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in the proportion of patients who had pertussis and diphtheria post-pandemic was not statistically significant. No case of tetanus was recorded during both periods. Majority of patients were discharged improved (87.10% pre-pandemic, 87.50% post-pandemic) however, there was a significantly higher mortality rate from VPDs post-pandemic (12.50%, p-value of 0.03).
Conclusion: For both pre- and post-pandemic periods, VPDs affected mostly infants with no known comorbidities, but with incomplete immunization status. There was an increase in the proportion of hospital admissions due to pertussis, diphtheria and Hib, while a notable decrease in measles admissions after the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a considerably higher mortality rate attributed to VPDs post-pandemic.

KEYWORDS: COVID-19 Pandemic, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Immunization, Vaccination, Philippines, Pediatric Infectious Diseases
https://doi.org/10.56964/pidspj20262701002
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