Posted on 24 July 2024
Global childhood immunisation coverage has stagnated in 2023, leaving millions of children without essential protection against preventable diseases. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, 2.7 million more children were un- or under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This alarming trend highlights the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare systems worldwide, including disruptions in services, logistical issues, vaccine hesitancy, and inequities in access. The number of children receiving three doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, a key indicator of immunisation coverage, remained at 84%, while the number of children who did not receive any dose increased to 14.5 million in 2023.
The data also revealed that more than half of the unvaccinated children live in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings, where access to healthcare is severely limited. Measles vaccination rates have also stalled, with nearly 35 million children lacking full protection. These trends highlight the urgent need for global efforts to close the immunisation gap. Governments, partners, and local leaders must invest in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child receives life-saving vaccines.