Introduction. Parotitis or mumps is an acute viral infection caused by the Mumps virus. It occurs most often in children and is characterized by an inflammatory process on the parotid glands. The virus is most often transmitted through droplets, direct contact, or indirectly through contaminated objects. Serious complications of this disease are possible, such as meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, oophoritis in women, and orchitis, which in men can be the cause of sterility. Vaccination with the MMR vaccine is one of the most effective ways to fight this disease. After the introduction of the MMR vaccine, the number of people suffering from this viral disease decreased drastically all over the world. This research aimed to analyze the coverage of mumps immunization in the period from 2016 to 2023, especially the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the vaccination rate during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Methodology. Descriptive statistics were applied for the analysis of annual vaccination rates, as well as a comparative analysis before, during, and after COVID-19 for the territory of Šumadija district. Also, data from the Institute for Public Health “Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut” on MMR vaccine coverage were analyzed. Results and Discussion. Administration of the vaccine and regular vaccination significantly reduce the rate of morbidity and mortality from this disease. After the introduction of the MMR vaccine as mandatory according to the vaccination calendar, a significant decrease in the incidence of this disease was observed. However, the decline in vaccinations in the years of dealing with a new and unknown infection caused by the Coronavirus has caused concern among epidemiologists about the possibility of a return of sporadic cases and also an epidemic of this disease. A decline in MMR vaccination rates was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately after it. Evident time differences were observed, especially during COVID-19, as well as immediately after the aforementioned pandemic. There were also regional differences and differences by cities within one district, for example. Šumadija district. Already in 2022, a slight increase was recorded, and in 2023, a further increase in the immunization rate against parotitis was observed in the Šumadija District territory. The reasons for this state of affairs can be attributed to various factors, most notably the overloading of the health system and the closure and reduction of visits to health institutions due to the risk of infection with COVID-19. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic affected vaccination coverage with the MMR vaccine in the Šumadija District. Therefore, efforts should be intensified to return the coverage of immunization against mumps with the MMR vaccine to the years before the outbreak of COVID-19 and to successfully implement the vaccination with a result above 95%. In this way, the collective immunity would be increased, and epidemic parotitis would be prevented.

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