Global Child Vaccination Rates Stall at 14 Million Unvaccinated

More than 14 million children did not receive a single vaccine last year, marking a stagnant figure from the previous year. This plateau in global vaccination rates highlights a significant challenge in public health initiatives. The World Health Organization and UNICEF reported that approximately 89% of children under 1 year old received a first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccine in 2024, unchanged from 2023. About 85% completed the three-dose series, a slight increase from 84% in 2023.

However, the collapse of international aid this year poses a significant threat to reducing the number of unprotected children. The withdrawal of the U.S. from the WHO, the freezing of nearly all humanitarian aid, and the closure of the U.S. AID Agency have exacerbated the situation. Additionally, the U.S. has pulled billions of dollars previously pledged to the vaccines alliance Gavi, citing concerns about the group's adherence to science. This decision, coupled with misinformation about vaccine safety, threatens to reverse decades of progress in global vaccination efforts.

Access to vaccines remains deeply unequal, with conflict and humanitarian crises quickly unraveling progress. Sudan had the lowest reported coverage against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. Nine countries accounted for 52% of all children who missed out on immunizations entirely: Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola. These regions face significant challenges in healthcare infrastructure and socio-economic barriers that hinder vaccination efforts.

Measles vaccine coverage rose slightly, with 76% of children worldwide receiving both doses. However, experts warn that measles vaccine rates need to reach 95% to prevent outbreaks of the extremely contagious disease. The data showed that 60 countries reported big measles outbreaks last year, highlighting the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts. The U.S. is currently experiencing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, while Europe has seen a surge in cases, with 125,000 reported in 2024 — twice as many as the previous year. Last week, British authorities reported a child died of measles in a Liverpool hospital, underscoring the severity of the situation.

The stagnation in child vaccination rates is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention. Despite the efforts of various health organizations and governments, the number of children who did not receive a single vaccine last year remains unchanged from the previous year. This plateau suggests that current strategies may not be sufficient to address the underlying issues that prevent children from accessing vaccines. Factors such as limited healthcare infrastructure, lack of awareness, and socio-economic barriers could be contributing to this problem.

The implications of this trend are far-reaching. Vaccinations are a cornerstone of public health, providing protection against diseases that can have severe and long-lasting effects on children's health and development. The failure to vaccinate a significant number of children not only puts them at risk but also poses a threat to the broader community through the potential spread of preventable diseases. This situation underscores the importance of continued investment in vaccination programs and the development of innovative solutions to overcome the barriers that prevent children from receiving the necessary immunizations.

Addressing this challenge will require a multi-faceted approach that involves collaboration between governments, health organizations, and communities. Efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, increase awareness about the importance of vaccinations, and address socio-economic barriers will be crucial in bridging the gap and ensuring that all children have access to the vaccines they need. By working together, it is possible to overcome this plateau and make significant progress in global child vaccination rates.