• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home General

2.7m children at risk as vaccine coverage dips- Report

Quadri Olaitan by Quadri Olaitan
July 16, 2024
in General
0
2.7m children at risk as vaccine coverage dips- Report

Global childhood immunisation coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to data published on Monday by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

The latest WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunisation coverage which provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunisation trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases – underscore the need for ongoing catch-up, recovery, and system-strengthening efforts.

 

Also read: Cholera: Benue records 16 suspected cases, four deaths

 

“The latest trends demonstrate that many countries continue to miss far too many children.

“Closing the immunisation gap requires a global effort, with governments, partners, and local leaders investing in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child gets vaccinated, and that overall healthcare is strengthened,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

According to the findings, the number of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in 2023 – a key marker for global immunization coverage – stalled at 84% (108 million).

However, the number of children who did not receive a single dose of the vaccine increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023.

More than half of unvaccinated children live in the 31 countries with fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings, where children are especially vulnerable to preventable diseases because of disruptions and lack of access to security, nutrition, and health services.

Additionally, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, which is necessary to achieve disease protection in infancy and early childhood.

These trends, which show that global immunisation coverage has remained largely unchanged since 2022 and – more alarmingly – has still not returned to 2019 levels, reflect ongoing challenges with disruptions in healthcare services, logistical challenges, vaccine hesitancy, and inequities in access to services.

The data further show that vaccination rates against the deadly measles disease stalled, leaving nearly 35 million children with no or only partial protection.

WHO, on its website recalled that in 2023, only 83 per cent of children worldwide received their first dose of the measles vaccine through routine health services, while the number of children receiving their second dose modestly increased from the previous year, reaching 74 of children.

“These figures fall short of the 95 per cent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks, avert unnecessary disease and deaths, and achieve measles elimination goals.

“Over the last five years, measles outbreaks hit 103 countries – home to roughly three-quarters of the world’s infants. Low vaccine coverage (80 per cent or less) was a major factor. In contrast, 91 countries with strong measles vaccine coverage did not experience outbreaks,” it said.

“Measles outbreaks are the canary in the coal mine, exposing and exploiting gaps in immunisation and hitting the most vulnerable first

“This is a solvable problem. The measles vaccine is cheap and can be delivered even in the most difficult places. WHO is committed to working with all our partners to support countries to close these gaps and protect the most at-risk children as quickly as possible,” said the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus

The UN agencies noted that the new data also highlighted some brighter spots in immunisation coverage as the steady introduction of new and under-utilised vaccines, including for human papillomavirus, meningitis, pneumococcal, polio, and rotavirus disease, continue to expand the breadth of protection, particularly in the 57 countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

“For example, the share of adolescent girls globally who received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer, increased from 20 per cent in 2022 to 27 per cent in 2023.

“This was largely driven by strong introductions in Gavi-supported countries, such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The use of the single-dose HPV vaccine schedule also helped boost vaccine coverage,” it noted.

“The HPV vaccine is one of the most impactful vaccines in Gavi’s portfolio, and it is incredibly heartening that it is now reaching more girls than ever before,” said the CEO of Gavi, Dr Sania Nishtar. “With vaccines now available to over 50% of eligible girls in African countries, we have much work to be done, but today we can see we have a clear pathway to eliminating this terrible disease.”

Quadri Olaitan
Quadri Olaitan

Related Posts

quotes 7
General

‘Enriching’ Ajanaku to storm Ibadan with Obey, Tope Alabi, Atorise, others for mum’s final burial

by Freelanews
December 8, 2021
templates
General

Female journo seeks financial assistance for kidney transplant

by Oreoluwa Ojelabi
January 7, 2023
F8s553UWsAEAo08
General

Leaked audio reveals Hamas operatives admit bombing Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital (LISTEN)

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
October 18, 2023
Flag Spain
General

‘Final approval’ Spain to legalize euthanasia, assisted suicide

by Freelanews
March 18, 2021
woman returns 38m 1
General

‘Sent by mistake’ Chinese firm pays Nigerian lady ₦38 Million instead Of N38,000

by Freelanews
January 29, 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Nestoil

Nestoil placed under receivership over $1bn debt

October 28, 2025
Omoge Saida

Omoge Saida sparks Nigerian social media over leaked video

October 28, 2025
WAEC 2025

WAEC dismisses 2026 subject restriction reports

October 28, 2025
Ondo road

Ondo road construction boosts state development

October 28, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
APC Second-Term Governors

APC: Second-term governors seeking immediate elective post to lose party leadership

October 15, 2025
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun

Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun remembered with love

September 14, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

19
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

11
Meran Primary Health Centre Lagos father Meran hospital

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

4
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

3
Nestoil

Nestoil placed under receivership over $1bn debt

October 28, 2025
Omoge Saida

Omoge Saida sparks Nigerian social media over leaked video

October 28, 2025
WAEC 2025

WAEC dismisses 2026 subject restriction reports

October 28, 2025
Ondo road

Ondo road construction boosts state development

October 28, 2025
October 2025
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Hot!

Nestoil

Nestoil placed under receivership over $1bn debt

October 28, 2025
Omoge Saida

Omoge Saida sparks Nigerian social media over leaked video

October 28, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.