In 2023, the number of children missing crucial vaccinations increased due to global conflicts, according to UN agencies. Around 14.5 million children missed vaccines for diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, up from 13.9 million in 2022. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF reported that only 84% of infants received their full DTP vaccine course, insufficient to prevent outbreaks.
War-torn regions like Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan saw significant declines in vaccination coverage. In Sudan, immunization rates dropped from 75% in 2022 to 57% in 2023.
More than half of unvaccinated children live in 31 countries with fragile health systems. UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the need for a global effort to close the immunization gap. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted measles outbreaks as a warning sign of these gaps.
Despite challenges, there are positive developments, such as increased coverage for newer vaccines like HPV. The percentage of adolescent girls receiving at least one HPV vaccine dose rose from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023, though it remains below the 90% target to eliminate cervical cancer.
Source – CGTN
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