The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Epidemiological Surveillance and AFP Reporting

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has profoundly affected global health systems, challenging disease surveillance and routine immunization programs. This study assesses the impact of the pandemic on epidemiological surveillance and Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) reporting in Kénitra Province, Morocco. Using retrospective data from 2019 to 2023, we compared AFP case notifications before, during, and after the critical phases of the pandemic. Findings reveal a significant decline in AFP reporting during 2020–2021, coinciding with lockdowns and resource reallocation to COVID-19 response, followed by recovery in 2022. Routine immunization coverage also decreased, heightening risks of vaccine-preventable disease resurgence. These results underscore the necessity of maintaining surveillance and immunization programs even amid health crises, and the importance of resilient health systems to ensure continuity of essential services.