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Table 3 Comparison of policies regarding prenatal and pediatric care in selected countries during COVID-19 [35,36,37,38]

From: Early (years) reactions: comparative analysis of early childhood policies and programs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Country

Jurisdiction

Prenatal Care

Well-baby visit schedule

Vaccines

Australia

Federal

• Continue routine antenatal care, though provider can arrange for extra scans if COVID-19 positive

• Continue routine schedule with mix of virtual and in-person visits

• Recommendation to continue vaccinations as scheduled

Canada

Federal

• Modified schedule, with mix of virtual and in-person practice

• Consider delaying routine appointments for pregnant patients being tested or COVID-19 positive

• Modified schedule with mix of virtual and in-person visits

• Recommendation to continue vaccinations as scheduled

Alberta

• Prenatal classes suspended

• Public health nurse or midwife to continue postpartum care as usual

• Physician visits should continue, but may be virtual depending on location

• Routine immunizations to continue, with exception of school program

British Columbia

• Reduced antenatal visits, with a mix of virtual and in-person practice

• At the discretion of physician

• Routine immunization schedule to continue

Ontario

• Modified prenatal visit schedule

• Modified well-child schedule, with mix of in-person and virtual

• Routine infant vaccination schedule

• Consider delaying 4–6 year old immunizations

Quebec

• Modified schedule, with mix of virtual and in-person practice

• Routine schedule to be continued, though may be virtual

• Routine infant vaccination schedule

Netherlands

• Continue routine schedule

• Combination of in person and virtual visits

• In-person weight checks by appointment only if there are concerns

• Routine schedule to continue

Singapore

• Postpone non-critical appointments if on a Stay-Home Notice or quarantine

• Otherwise, continue routine schedule

 

• Continue routine schedule

UK

• Continue routine antenatal care, although can be modified, unless suspected or confirmed COVID-19

• Continue routine 6–8 week infant examination

• Continue routine childhood vaccinations as scheduled

USA

Federal

• Continue to provide medically necessary prenatal care, referrals and consultations but can modify/reduce if risk outweighs benefit

• Continue with routine well-baby visits

• Recommendation to continue infant and toddler vaccinations as scheduled

Michigan

• Policy varied by health service provider

• General reduction in in-person visits

• At the discretion of physician

• Continue routine schedule