Global child vaccination levels stuck: data from WHO

By Alice Bruschi Last updated Jul 16, 2024

WHO data reveal that global childhood vaccination coverage is stuck in 2023. 2.7 million more children are unvaccinated or undervaccinated

According to the latest WHO and UNICEF estimates, global childhood vaccination coverage has stalled by 2023, leaving many without life-saving protection. Millions of children are left without adequate protection against dangerous diseases, and new data reveal this is causing measles outbreaks.

WHO’s data

The WHO data are worrying and call for an immediate solution. Only 84 percent of children received the three doses of the DTP vaccine in 2023, and 14.5 million young children did not receive even one dose of the vaccine. More than half of these children live in fragile, vulnerable or conflict-affected settings where access to health services is limited. Why is this situation so serious? Vaccines are like shields that prepare children’s immune systems to fight disease, protecting them from serious health problems and even death.

New enemy lurking: measles

There is an advancing enemy: measles. Indeed, WHO has found a high rate of measles outbreaks caused precisely by inadequate vaccination rates that leave some 35 million children unprotected. Only 83 percent of children received the first dose of the vaccine, while 74 percent received the second dose. This means that measles, which can be deadly, is still a serious threat to young children.

A glimmer of hope: the HPV vaccine

Fortunately, global vaccine coverage against HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is increasing. 27% of adolescent girls received at least one dose of the vaccine in 2023, up from 20% in 2022. This is a huge step forward enabled primarily by the ‘introduction of the single-dose HPV vaccine. However, while this is a great success, it is still not enough. Coverage is still below the target of 90% to eliminate cervical cancer.

Urgent and global action is needed

Global action is needed to address this impasse. Governments, international organizations, health workers and communities have a responsibility to:

Inform families: it is critical to dispel false myths about vaccines and emphasize their importance to children’s health
Making vaccines affordable: especially in poorer countries, it is necessary to ensure that all children, regardless of income or background, have access to vaccines
Invest in research: science is constantly evolving, and new vaccines can help protect children from even more diseases

Sources and Images

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