Global childhood vaccination rates have plateaued, leaving millions more children un- or under-vaccinated than before the pandemic, the United Nations warned on Monday. The stagnation in vaccination coverage raises concerns about potential outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles.

In 2023, 84 percent of children worldwide, equivalent to 108 million, received three doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP) vaccine, according to data published by the UN health and children’s agencies. This percentage remained unchanged from the previous year, indicating that the modest progress seen in 2022 has stalled. Before the pandemic in 2019, the vaccination rate was 86 percent. 

“The latest trends demonstrate that many countries continue to miss far too many children,” said UNICEF chief Catherine Russell in a joint statement.

In fact, 2.7 million more children were un- or under-vaccinated last year compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. WHO vaccine chief Kate O’Brien emphasised the severity of the situation, stating, “Global immunisation coverage has yet to fully recover from the historic backsliding that we saw during the course of the pandemic.”

The number of zero-dose children, who have not received any vaccinations, rose to 14.5 million in 2023 from 13.9 million in 2022 and 12.8 million in 2019. This situation puts the lives of the most vulnerable children at significant risk, especially in 31 countries with fragile, conflict-affected settings where access to health services is limited.

Despite these global challenges, Bangladesh’s immunisation efforts have remained resilient. The country’s vaccination levels have not deteriorated, showing a commendable commitment to protecting its children from preventable diseases.

Worldwide, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, essential for disease protection in early childhood. Measles vaccination rates are also worrying, with only 83 percent of children receiving their first dose in 2023, down from 86 percent pre-pandemic. The required coverage to prevent outbreaks is 95 percent, yet only 74 percent received their second necessary dose.

“Measles outbreaks are the canary in the coalmine, exposing and exploiting gaps in immunisation and hitting the most vulnerable first,” warned WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The data showed more than 300,000 confirmed measles cases in 2023, nearly triple the number from the previous year. However, countries with strong vaccine coverage, like Bangladesh, have not experienced outbreaks, highlighting the importance of maintaining high immunisation rates.

On a positive note, there were strong increases in vaccination against the HPV virus, which causes cervical cancer, though coverage remains far below the 90-percent target in both high-income and lower-income countries.

The UN agencies’ warning underscores the need for renewed efforts to improve global immunisation coverage, with successful examples like Bangladesh demonstrating the positive impact of sustained commitment to child health. 

Reference 

UN alarmed as childhood immunisation levels stall [Internet]. Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha-BSS (The national news agency of Bangladesh). [cited 2024 Jul 29]. Available from: https://www.bssnews.net/news-flash/200245