New data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF has revealed that global childhood immunisation coverage remained stagnant in 2023, with an additional 2.7 million children un- and under-vaccinated compared to 2019 levels.
The report, released on 15 July, 2024, highlights that nearly 35 million children lack full protection against measles, a situation exacerbated by low vaccine coverage in many countries.
According to the WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunisation coverage (WUENIC), the number of children receiving three doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine stalled at 84 per cent in 2023. The data also indicated that 14.5 million children missed their first DTP dose, an increase from the previous year. Over half of these children live in fragile, conflict-affected regions, underscoring the challenges in accessing healthcare in these areas.
The UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell called for a global effort to close the immunisation gap by investing in primary healthcare and supporting community workers. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that measles outbreaks are a clear indicator of vulnerabilities in immunisation systems, stressing the need for concerted action to address these gaps.
Despite these challenges, there were some positive developments, such as a significant increase in HPV vaccine coverage among adolescent girls, driven by strong efforts in countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. However, overall vaccine coverage remains below targets, highlighting the ongoing need for robust local action and international collaboration to protect every child.
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