Stalled Childhood Immunisation Levels In 2023 Pose Health Risks: UN

Global childhood vaccination rates have stagnated, leaving 2.7 million children without necessary protection compared to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019, according to UN agencies. This situation has created dangerous gaps, enabling outbreaks of diseases such as measles.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that progress in reaching pre-pandemic immunisation levels has stalled. The global diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) immunisation coverage was 84% in 2023, unchanged from 2022 but below the 86% recorded in 2019.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated, "The latest trends demonstrate that many countries continue to miss far too many children." The data revealed ongoing challenges with disruptions in healthcare services, logistical issues, vaccine hesitancy, and inequities in access to services.

The report highlighted an increase in the number of children who had not received a single dose of the DTP vaccine, rising from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023. Additionally, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, which is crucial for disease protection during infancy and early childhood.

Vaccination rates against measles also stalled, leaving nearly 35 million children without sufficient protection. In 2023, only 83% of children worldwide received their first dose of the measles vaccine under-immunised health services.

Measles Vaccination Shortfalls

The number of children receiving their second dose of the measles vaccine modestly increased from the previous year, reaching 74%. However, these figures fall short of the required 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks and achieve measles elimination goals.

This stagnation underscores the need for ongoing catch-up efforts and system-strengthening initiatives to address these gaps and ensure all children receive necessary vaccinations.

The data emphasises that previous progress has halted due to various challenges including healthcare service disruptions and logistical difficulties. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving vaccination rates and protecting children's health globally.

With inputs from WAM