Slight progress in child immunization rates around the world despite conflicts and hesitation regarding vaccines

This was according to what was stated in a report “Annual WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage,” which reported that although both indicators rose by one percentage point compared to the previous year, global coverage remained one point below 2019 levels, and even hovered within the same narrow range since 2009.

The data indicated that there are about 13.5 million children who did not receive any vaccine dose in their first year during the year 2025. Although this number represents a decrease of approximately 750 thousand children compared to the previous year, it is offset by an increase in the number of children who start the vaccination schedule and then do not complete it.

Globally, it is estimated that 7.3 million infants have received the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, but have missed the first dose of the measles vaccine. This backwardness contributed to the stagnation in the rate of coverage of the measles vaccine, as 84% ​​of children received the first dose of this vaccine, while only 77% received the second dose.

Both numbers are well below the 95% threshold needed to prevent an outbreak of the highly contagious measles virus. As a result, 57 countries reported major or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2025.

Greater security starts with ensuring everyone’s protection

UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, said that governments and health workers have contributed to the recovery of global vaccination rates after a sharp decline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

But she added, “Millions of vulnerable children remain left unprotected by conflict, displacement and poverty. “It is therefore imperative that we reach every child, and rebuild trust where it is eroded. No child should suffer a disease from which a simple vaccine can protect.”.

Data from 195 countries Until 100 countries Since 2019, it has maintained coverage of no less than 90 percent with all three doses of the DTP vaccine, with limited progress in scaling up this group of countries.

Estimates indicated that 65 countries witnessed stagnation or decline, including 13 fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable countries.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stressed that immunization is one of the most cost-effective, equitable and reliable interventions to protect children’s health and well-being. “Our greater security begins with ensuring that everyone, wherever they are, is protected from the deadly diseases that vaccines protect against.”.

WHO, UNICEF, the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) and other partners are working to achieve the goal of the 2030 Global Immunization Agenda to ensure that vaccines reach everyone, everywhere and at every age. But the world is still far from track to meet the global goal of reducing the number of children who have not received a dose.