Global childhood immunization coverage stagnated in 2023, WHO report

SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have announced that global childhood immunization coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children un- and under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

 According to the latest estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC), trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases underscored the need for ongoing catch-up, recovery, and system-strengthening efforts.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that many countries continue to miss far too many children, necessitating a global effort to close the immunization gap.

She called for governments, partners, and local leaders to invest in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child is vaccinated and overall healthcare is strengthened.

The report reveals that the number of children receiving three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) in 2023 stalled at 84% (108 million).

Moreover, the number of children who did not receive a single dose of the vaccine increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023.

Notably, over half of unvaccinated children live in 31 countries with fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings, where disruptions and lack of access to security, nutrition, and health services leave children especially susceptible to preventable diseases.

Additionally, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, necessary for disease protection in infancy and early childhood.

 These trends further show that global immunization coverage has remained largely unchanged since 2022 and has yet to return to 2019 levels.

This reflects ongoing challenges with healthcare disruptions, logistical issues, vaccine hesitancy, and healthcare access inequities.

Vaccination rates against measles have also stalled, leaving nearly 35 million children with no or only partial protection.

Over the last five years, measles outbreaks have affected 103 countries, home to roughly three-quarters of the world’s infants.

Low vaccine coverage (80% or less) was a major factor, while 91 countries with strong measles vaccine coverage did no experience outbreaks.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed WHO’s commitment to addressing these gaps, noting that the measles vaccine is cheap and can be delivered even in the most difficult places.

WHO will work with all partners to support countries in protecting the most at-risk children as quickly as possible.

Furthermore, the steady introduction of new and under-utilized vaccines, including those for human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus, continues to expand protection.

Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, highlighted the impactful HPV vaccine, now available to over 50% of eligible girls in African countries. However, coverage remains well below the 90% target to eliminate cervical cancer.

 As a result, the IA2030 Partnership Council has called for increased investment in innovation and ongoing collaboration.

The council recommends that partners enhance their support for country leadership to improve routine immunization as part of integrated primary healthcare programs backed by robust political support, community leadership, and sustainable funding.

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