Global Study Shows Pandemic Impact on Childhood Vaccination Rates; India and 7 Other Nations with Highest Number of Unvaccinated Kids in 2023

There has been significant progress in vaccinating children against life-threatening diseases since the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1974. However, childhood vaccination rates have stagnated in the last two decades, leading to wide variations in vaccine coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these challenges, leaving millions of children at risk of preventable diseases and death, according to a new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study Vaccine Coverage Collaborators published in The Lancet.

The pandemic caused a sharp decline in global coverage rates for recommended vaccines, resulting in millions of children missing essential doses. Disruptions to immunization services during the pandemic led to approximately 12.8 million additional unvaccinated children globally between 2020 and 2023. Low- and middle-income countries have lower coverage rates and higher numbers of unvaccinated children.

In 2023, over half of the world's unvaccinated children were concentrated in eight countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Challenges to vaccine delivery and uptake vary widely, requiring tailored solutions to address barriers such as armed conflict, political instability, economic uncertainty, and vaccine misinformation.

Despite progress over the past 50 years, there are still disparities in vaccine coverage. Accelerated efforts are needed to halve the number of unvaccinated children by 2030. Two-thirds of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. To improve vaccine acceptance, addressing misinformation and hesitancy is crucial. Building trust, engaging community leaders, and implementing culturally appropriate strategies are essential for successful vaccination programs.