Global childhood immunisation coverage has stagnated in 2023, resulting in 2.7 million additional children being under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to a report jointly published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday.
The latest estimates highlight significant gaps in national immunisation efforts across the world, particularly affecting vaccinations against 14 diseases. Despite efforts to catch up and strengthen health systems, the data underscores persistent challenges in reaching all children with vital vaccines.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the need for concerted global action, stating, “Closing the immunisation gap requires investment in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child receives vaccination and overall healthcare is bolstered.”
Key findings from the report indicate that while 84% of children received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) in 2023, crucial markers of global immunisation coverage have plateaued. Alarmingly, the number of children not receiving any vaccine doses increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023.
A significant proportion of unvaccinated children reside in 31 countries facing fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable conditions, exacerbating their susceptibility to preventable diseases due to healthcare disruptions and limited access to essential services like security, nutrition, and health.
Moreover, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, crucial for early childhood disease protection. These trends highlight ongoing challenges such as healthcare service disruptions, logistical issues, vaccine hesitancy, and unequal access to healthcare services.
Regarding measles vaccination, global coverage remains insufficient with only 83% of children receiving the first dose through routine health services in 2023, and a modest increase to 74% for the second dose. These figures fall short of the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks and achieve measles elimination goals, leaving nearly 35 million children vulnerable.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus underscored the urgency of addressing these gaps, stating, “Measles outbreaks are indicative of broader immunisation gaps and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Solving this issue is feasible with widespread use of affordable vaccines, even in challenging environments.”
Amidst these challenges, there have been positive strides in immunisation coverage. The introduction of new vaccines and expanded usage, including for diseases like human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, pneumococcal disease, polio, and rotavirus, has bolstered protection in various countries. Notably, HPV vaccine coverage among adolescent girls globally increased from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023, with strong progress in Gavi-supported countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, highlighted the impact of HPV vaccination, stating, “The progress in HPV vaccine coverage is a testament to effective partnerships and signifies a pathway towards eliminating cervical cancer. Continued efforts are needed to extend vaccine coverage and protect more girls.”
The report concludes with a call for sustained global commitment and investment in immunisation programmes to bridge existing gaps, protect vulnerable children, and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines worldwide.
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