WHO warns of declining rates of childhood vaccination around the world

The World Health Organization has warned of a decline in child vaccination rates worldwide, which could threaten many lives.

A post on the organization's official website stated: "There has been no progress in global childhood vaccine coverage in 2023, leaving an additional 2.7 million children unvaccinated or under-vaccinated compared to the level in 2019."

The post added: “WHO and UNICEF release estimates of national immunization coverage, the largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends using vaccines against 14 diseases, and the latest estimates underscore the need for continued catch-up, recovery and systems strengthening efforts.”

“Recent trends show that too many countries are still not reaching too many children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Closing the immunization gap requires a global effort with governments, partners and local leaders to invest in primary health care and community health workers to ensure every child has access to vaccines and to strengthen health systems overall.”

According to the estimates, the number of children receiving three doses of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus toxoid (DPT) vaccine — a key measure of global immunization coverage — remained at 84 percent (108 million children). However, the number of children who did not receive any dose of this vaccine increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023.

These trends show that global immunization coverage has remained unchanged since 2022, and has not returned to 2019 levels. This is of further concern, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by disruptions to health care services, logistical difficulties, vaccine hesitancy, and unequal access to services.

The World Health Organization noted that the data also shows that immunization rates against the deadly measles disease have not made progress, leaving about 35 million children unprotected or only partially protected from the disease.

Only 83 percent of children worldwide received the first dose of measles vaccine through routine health services in 2023, while the number of children receiving the second dose increased slightly from last year to 74 percent. These figures fall short of the 95 percent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks, avoid unnecessary illness and death, and achieve measles elimination goals.