Childhood immunization rates plateaued last year, leaving 2.7 million more kids worldwide lacking the protection they need compared with pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Widening gaps in immunization coverage are driving outbreaks of measles and other diseases and compounding a historic drop-off in vaccination rates during COVID-19.
The latest data, issued Monday by the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), underscore the need for continuing to try to catch-up to pre-pandemic levels.
“The latest trends demonstrate that many countries continue to miss far too many children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a news release announcing the data.
“Closing the immunization gap requires a global effort, with governments, partners and local leaders investing in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child gets vaccinated, and that overall healthcare is strengthened.”
The report, which reflects 2023 vaccination rates, is the world’s largest dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases.
It analyzed estimates from 185 countries and used a third dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine as the global marker for immunization coverage.
