New data from WHO and UNICEF reports that nearly 20 million children worldwide missed out on lifesaving measles, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccines in 2018 due to conflict, inequality, and complacency.
- Vaccines play a key role in preventing outbreaks and keeping the world safe
- Most children are being vaccinated, however, many are still left behind
- New data from WHO and UNICEF reports that nearly 20 million children worldwide missed out on lifesaving measles, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccines in 2018
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“Vaccines are one of our most important tools for preventing outbreaks and keeping the world safe,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “While most children today are being vaccinated, far too many are left behind. Unacceptably, it’s often those who are most at risk– the poorest, the most marginalized, those touched by conflict or forced from their homes - who are persistently missed.”
Most unvaccinated children live in the poorest countries, and are disproportionately in fragile or conflict-affected states. Almost half are in just 16 countries - Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
If these children do get sick, they are at risk of the severest health consequences, and least likely to access lifesaving treatment and care.
Measles outbreaks reveal entrenched gaps in coverage, often over many years
In 2018, almost 350,000 measles cases were reported globally, more than doubling from 2017.
Ten countries with highest reported incidence rate of measles cases (2018) |
Coverage with measles first dose (2010) |
Coverage with measles first dose (2018) |
1. Ukraine |
56 |
91 |
2. Democratic Republic of the Congo |
74 |
80 |
3. Madagascar |
66 |
62 |
4. Liberia |
65 |
91 |
5. Somalia |
46 |
46 |
6. Serbia |
95 |
92 |
7. Georgia |
94 |
98 |
8. Albania |
99 |
96 |
9. Yemen |
68 |
64 |
10. Romania |
95 |
90 |
Several other countries with high incidence and high coverage have significant groups of people who have missed the measles vaccine in the past. This shows how low coverage over time or discrete communities of unvaccinated people can spark deadly outbreaks.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage data available for the first time
For the first time, there is also data on the coverage of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects girls against cervical cancer later in life. As of 2018, 90 countries – home to 1 in 3 girls worldwide - had introduced the HPV vaccine into their national programs. Just 13 of these are lower-income countries. This leaves those most at risk of the devastating impacts of cervical cancer still least likely to have access to the vaccine.
Together with partners like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and UNICEF are supporting countries to strengthen their immunization systems and outbreak response, including by vaccinating all children with routine immunization, conducting emergency campaigns, and training and equipping health workers as an essential part of quality primary healthcare.
Source-Newswise