By Atoyebi Nike
The WHO and UNICEF have raised alarm over global immunization gaps, revealing that 14.3 million children received no vaccines in 2024, out of nearly 20 million who missed at least one dose of the DTP vaccine.
Despite small improvements from 2023, vaccine coverage remains far from global targets. Conflicts, weak health systems, and misinformation are major setbacks, especially in fragile countries where half of all unvaccinated children live.
Progress was seen in Gavi-supported countries, with 600,000 more children reached and expanded vaccine access to diseases like HPV and measles. Yet, 30 million children remain under-vaccinated, and measles outbreaks have nearly doubled since 2022.
UNICEF’s Catherine Russell said urgent action is needed:
“No child should die from a preventable disease.”
