Millions of Infants Miss Life-Saving Vaccines Despite Global Immunization Gains

DDM News

In a year marked by both progress and persistent setbacks, a new report has revealed that millions of infants around the world still miss out on life-saving vaccines despite significant advances in global immunization coverage.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that in 2024, approximately 115 million newborns received at least one dose of the combined vaccine that protects against three deadly childhood diseases, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough).

Of these, over 109 million infants successfully completed the recommended three-dose schedule.

However, health agencies warn that the momentum in vaccination coverage is being threatened by growing challenges.

Around 20 million children, nearly one in six infants, missed at least one dose of the DTP vaccine last year.

Alarmingly, 14 million of them received no vaccine at all, placing them at high risk of preventable illness and death.

The data, released jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), highlights both the achievements and the ongoing disparities in global immunization programs.

Health experts are sounding the alarm that urgent action is needed to close the gap and protect every child, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Several key factors are driving the disparities in vaccine access.

According to WHO and UNICEF, armed conflicts and displacement continue to disrupt health services in many regions, particularly in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

In addition, persistent misinformation about vaccine safety,  often spread through social media, has discouraged some parents from immunizing their children.

Limited access to healthcare facilities, especially in rural and underserved communities, also plays a significant role in low immunization rates. Many families face long travel distances, stockouts, or a shortage of trained health workers.

“These missed doses are not just numbers. They represent vulnerable children left unprotected against deadly diseases,” said a UNICEF spokesperson. “No child should suffer or die from a preventable illness.”

In response, WHO and UNICEF are urging countries and stakeholders to intensify their efforts by:

Expanding immunization outreach in conflict zones and remote areas

Investing in stronger, more resilient health systems

Combating vaccine misinformation through trusted community engagement

Vaccination remains one of the most cost-effective and impactful tools in global health.

According to WHO, immunizations prevent an estimated 4–5 million deaths every year from diseases like measles, polio, and hepatitis B.

The agencies stress that achieving universal vaccination coverage is essential not only for protecting individual children but also for ensuring community immunity, particularly in a world still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the world moves forward, global health leaders reiterate one urgent message: every vaccine shot matters, and no child should be left behind

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