Global Child Vaccination Efforts Stabilize After COVID-19 Disruptions, But Challenges Remain
GENEVA – The global effort to vaccinate children against preventable diseases has shown signs of recovery after setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent report by UN agencies. While vaccination rates have stabilized and even slightly improved, significant challenges remain, including funding cuts, misinformation, and unequal access, jeopardizing decades of progress and leaving millions of children vulnerable.
The report, released jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, reveals that 85% of infants worldwide received the three recommended doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2024, marking a modest one percentage point increase from the previous year. This translates to approximately 109 million infants protected against these potentially fatal diseases. However, the number of “zero-dose” children, those who haven’t received a single DTP shot, remains alarmingly high at 14.3 million, highlighting persistent gaps in immunization coverage.
While the overall trend suggests stabilization, the situation is far from ideal. The 2024 figure of zero-dose children, although slightly improved from 2023, is still significantly higher than the pre-pandemic level of 12.9 million in 2019. This underscores the enduring impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted healthcare systems and diverted resources away from routine immunization programs. The report warns that the world is not on track to achieve the global immunization target of 90% coverage for essential vaccines by 2030, raising serious concerns about future outbreaks and the resurgence of preventable diseases.
The resurgence of measles, a highly contagious disease preventable through vaccination, is a particularly worrying trend. The report documents a significant increase in measles outbreaks in 2024, affecting 60 countries compared to 33 the previous year. This rise in measles cases demonstrates the fragility of vaccination progress and the potential for rapid backsliding when immunization coverage falls below critical thresholds. While two million more children received the measles vaccine in 2024 than in 2023, global coverage remains well below the 95% needed to effectively prevent transmission.
One of the major factors hindering progress is the decline in international aid for vaccination programs, particularly from the United States. These funding cuts have significantly hampered the ability of organizations like UNICEF and WHO to deliver vaccines, especially in low-income countries. UNICEF officials have voiced concerns that these cuts are disrupting their efforts to respond to outbreaks in nearly 50 countries, leaving vulnerable populations at greater risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. The report emphasizes that restoring and increasing funding for immunization programs is crucial to regain lost ground and ensure equitable access to vaccines worldwide.
Adding to the challenges is the growing problem of misinformation about vaccine safety. The spread of false and misleading narratives online and through other channels erodes public trust in vaccination, leading to vaccine hesitancy and reduced uptake. Health experts warn that this decline in confidence in scientifically proven vaccine safety is creating dangerous immunity gaps and fueling outbreaks. Combating misinformation and fostering vaccine confidence are vital to protecting communities from preventable diseases.
Despite the overarching challenges, there are glimmers of hope in the report. Vaccination coverage in low-income countries supported by the Gavi vaccine alliance saw an improvement in 2024, reaching more children than ever before. This demonstrates the positive impact of targeted interventions and international collaboration in strengthening immunization systems in resource-constrained settings. However, the report also identifies concerning signs of declining coverage in some high-income countries, suggesting that complacency and misinformation can undermine progress even in well-resourced settings.
Overall, the UN report paints a mixed picture of the global state of child vaccination. While progress has been made in stabilizing coverage after COVID-19 disruptions, substantial challenges remain. The report emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding, robust strategies to counter misinformation, and equitable access to vaccines to ensure that all children, regardless of where they live, are protected from preventable diseases. The international community must work collectively to overcome these challenges and accelerate progress towards achieving global immunization targets, safeguarding the health and well-being of future generations.