According to guidance released by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), routine vaccination should not be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel guidance emphasizes the importance of immunizing people against vaccine-preventable diseases based on recommended CDC immunization schedules. This will aid to prevent outbreaks that may further pose a burden on the medical care system.

In adolescents, children, or adults (including pregnant females), routine vaccination should not be postponed. However, for patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination should be delayed until they have fulfilled the criteria to discontinue isolation. Furthermore, overdue vaccines should be given as early as possible.

Healthcare professionals should recognize patients who have missed the recommended vaccines and reach out to schedule in-person appointments to assure vaccines are received. To diminish the impact of respiratory illnesses and safeguard vulnerable populations, vaccination against influenza should be promoted to all eligible patients.

To prevent asymptomatic COVID-19 infection transmission while ensuring the safe delivery of vaccines, all vaccine administration locations should utilize infection prevention practices. These include the use of face coverings, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, and surface decontamination. Screening of patients should be done for symptoms and potential contact with COVID-19.

Installing physical barriers, requiring eye protection (based on the level of community transmission) and wearing gloves also aids to prevent the transmission of infection. Additional precautions that should be taken into consideration include ensuring the presence of sufficient staff and resources for quick clinic flow, offering specific appointment times, limiting the overall number of attendees, utilizing a large space with a unidirectional flow, and designating areas for high-risk individuals or patient monitoring.