14.3 million children worldwide remain unvaccinated – WHO

An estimated 14.3 million children around the world are still unvaccinated, according to a joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF assessing national immunization coverage.

The report notes that the number of unvaccinated children decreased by 171,000 last year compared to 2023. However, more than 14 million children still require vaccinations, while an additional 5.7 million have received only partial doses and remain inadequately protected.

Dr. Keith Bryan, WHO’s director of immunization, vaccines, and biological products, called the situation “alarming.” He emphasized that the global goal is to reach every child with life-saving vaccines, but a “transparent barrier” has emerged, making it increasingly difficult to achieve universal coverage.

He explained that rising conflict and war have severely slowed vaccination efforts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Children in 26 fragile, conflict-affected, or humanitarian crisis zones are three times more likely to remain unvaccinated compared to those in stable countries. According to the report, half of all unvaccinated children live in such regions.

Nine countries—Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola—account for 52 percent of all unvaccinated children. Meanwhile, in developed nations, mistrust in vaccines, skepticism toward health systems, and misinformation have contributed to the resurgence of preventable diseases.

UNICEF highlighted that over the past 50 years, more than 150 million children’s lives have been saved through vaccination. However, current challenges reveal a growing lack of trust in immunization programs.

For example, measles is spreading in parts of the United States with low vaccination rates, especially in West Texas. This year, measles cases have reached their highest level in 25 years.

The report also draws attention to the decline in funding for vaccination efforts. Cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) budget and weakened cooperation with GAVI and other vaccine providers have further threatened progress.

It should be recalled that earlier reports warned that sharp reductions in USAID funding for health programs could cost up to 14 million lives worldwide by 2030.