Background: In Portugal, pneumococcal vaccination is free of charge and recommended by the Directorate-General of Health for the pediatric population at high risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. Our main aim was to describe the vaccination uptake in a pediatric population attending a hospital outpatient clinic.Material and Methods: Cross-sectional observational survey of a pediatric population attending a referral hospital outpatient clinic, from July to December 2014. Data was collected from clinical records, Individual Health Bulletin or the registry from Plataforma de Dados da Saúde®.Results: Of the 122 participants, 95.9% had, at least, one shot of pneumococcal vaccine, but only 64.8% of these completed the age recommended vaccination scheme. Uptake was higher in children < 5 years old. The proportion of complete vaccination schemes was 100% in hemoglobinopathies and human immunodeficiency virus infection groups, 66.7% in prematures, 62.5% in splenectomized and 54.7% in Down syndrome. Children had better complete vaccination schemes when they attended the Pediatric Infectious Disease (100%) and Pulmonology Clinics (88.2%). Children > 5 years old had a higher uptake of 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine than the 2 to 5-years old ones (74.5% vs 40.5%; p < 0.001).Discussion: Most of our pediatric population at high risk of IPD was vaccinated; nevertheless, only two-thirds had completed the scheme for their age. The main failure was on the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine administration.Conclusions: Although these results are better than those reported in other European countries with similar recommendations, it is essential to explore the causes for the observed flaws in order to optimize vaccination rates.

Abstract Introduction: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, several non-pharmacological measures were adopted to prevent and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Objective: To compare pediatric hospitalizations for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) before and after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study of admissions for ARIs in the pediatric ward of a tertiary hospital between April 2018 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria comprised: hospitalization of pediatric patients ([0-17[ years); length of stay >24 hours; and a respiratory infection diagnosis code from ICD-10. Data were collected using electronic clinical records. The first two years were considered ‘non-COVID-19 years’ (year[Y]1 and Y2), while the period between April 2020 and March 2021 was considered the ‘COVID-19 year’ (Y3). Results: A total of 783 hospitalizations were included in the analysis. There was a significant decrease in ARIs admissions in Y3 compared to Y1 and 2 (-67% from Y2 to Y3; p<0.001), with a decrease in the proportion of bronchiolitis cases (-42% from Y2 to Y3; p<0.001) and an increase in pneumonia cases (+124% from Y2 to Y3; p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in the incidence of respiratory viruses from Y2 to Y3 (76.6% vs. 56.4%; p<0.001), mainly driven by a decrease in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 46.8% in Y2 vs. 2.0% in Y3; p<0.001). Conversely, there was a significant increase in the incidence of rhinovirus from Y2 to Y3 (15.3% vs. 22.8%; p<0.001), and SARS-CoV-2 was identified in 31.7% of cases in Y3. More chest computed tomography scans were performed (5.6% vs. 10.9%; p<0.001) and more systemic steroids were used (26.3% vs. 40.6%; p=0.023) from Y2 to Y3. Conclusions: Population-based non-pharmacological measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a reduction in pediatric hospitalizations for ARIs. The decrease in ARIs due to RSV is particularly noteworthy in this pandemic context.

Introduction: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, several non-pharmacological measures were adopted to prevent and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Objective: To compare pediatric hospitalizations for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) before and after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study of admissions for ARIs in the pediatric ward of a tertiary hospital between April 2018 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria comprised: hospitalization of pediatric patients ([0-17[ years); length of stay >24 hours; and a respiratory infection diagnosis code from ICD-10. Data were collected using electronic clinical records. The first two years were considered ‘non-COVID-19 years’ (year[Y]1 and Y2), while the period between April 2020 and March 2021 was considered the ‘COVID-19 year’ (Y3). Results: A total of 783 hospitalizations were included in the analysis. There was a significant decrease in ARIs admissions in Y3 compared to Y1 and 2 (-67% from Y2 to Y3; p<0.001), with a decrease in the proportion of bronchiolitis cases (-42% from Y2 to Y3; p<0.001) and an increase in pneumonia cases (+124% from Y2 to Y3; p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in the incidence of respiratory viruses from Y2 to Y3 (76.6% vs. 56.4%; p<0.001), mainly driven by a decrease in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 46.8% in Y2 vs. 2.0% in Y3; p<0.001). Conversely, there was a significant increase in the incidence of rhinovirus from Y2 to Y3 (15.3% vs. 22.8%; p<0.001), and SARS-CoV-2 was identified in 31.7% of cases in Y3. More chest computed tomography scans were performed (5.6% vs. 10.9%; p<0.001) and more systemic steroids were used (26.3% vs. 40.6%; p=0.023) from Y2 to Y3. Conclusions: Population-based non-pharmacological measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a reduction in pediatric hospitalizations for ARIs. The decrease in ARIs due to RSV is particularly noteworthy in this pandemic context.