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Rachel V Thomas

13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose in 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

Global <span>childhood vaccination coverage</span> improved in 2025, but 13.5 million children still did not receive a single vaccine in their first year of life, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases, according to the latest WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National <span>Immunization</span> Coverage (WUENIC).

The report found that 85% of children worldwide (about 110 million) completed the recommended three-dose diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine series, while 90% of infants (nearly 116 million) received at least one dose of the <span>DTP vaccine</span>.

Although the number of zero-dose children declined by nearly 750,000 compared to 2024, WHO and UNICEF said progress remains uneven.

"Every child, whether born into wealth or poverty, peace or conflict, deserves the life-saving protection that vaccines provide," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

<h2>Measles <span rel="noindex">Vaccination</span> Still Below Target</h2>

The report highlights persistent gaps in measles immunization. An estimated 7.3 million infants received their first DTP dose but missed their first measles-containing vaccine (MCV1). Global measles coverage remains below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks:

<ul><li>84% received the first measles dose (MCV1)</li><li>77% received the second dose (MCV2)</li></ul>As a result, 57 countries reported large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2025.

The recent measles outbreaks in Bangladesh and the US, underscoring how immunity gaps can quickly lead to disease resurgence. 

As per the latest data, Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths stands at 766, while the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide stands at 113,244.

The US is also experiencing a major measles resurgence, reporting over 2,231 confirmed cases across 42 jurisdictions. This puts the country on track to surpass 2025's total (2,289 cases), which was the highest in decades, threatening the nation's measles elimination status.

"These outbreaks underscore how quickly immunity gaps can lead to the resurgence and spread of this highly infectious disease," said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/england-confirms-third-measles-death-nhs-launches-catch-up-mmrv-vaccination-drive-article-155055434" data-type="tilCustomLink">England Confirms Third Measles Death: NHS Launches Catch-Up MMRV Vaccination Drive</a>

<h2>Conflict and Poverty Leave Millions Unprotected</h2>

More than half of all zero-dose children live in fragile, conflict-affected or vulnerable settings, despite these countries accounting for only about one-third of the world's child population. 

Immunization programs in these regions continue to face disruptions due to conflict, political instability, displacement and chronic underfunding.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that while vaccination rates have rebounded from the declines seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children remain unreached.

"Millions of vulnerable children are still being left unprotected due to conflict, displacement and poverty. No child should suffer from a disease that a simple vaccine can prevent."

<h2>Regional Progress Remains Uneven</h2>

The report based on data from 195 countries shows mixed progress since 2019:

<ul><li>100 countries have maintained at least 90% DTP3 coverage.</li><li>30 countries improved vaccination coverage after falling below the 90% mark before the pandemic.</li><li>65 countries continue to stagnate or decline, including 13 fragile or conflict-affected nations.</li><li>The Americas and South-East Asia have recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic vaccination levels, with South-East Asia emerging as the best-performing WHO region.</li><li>Africa, Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean have improved but remain below 2019 levels, while the Western Pacific continues to lag behind its pre-pandemic baseline.</li></ul>Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cyclosporiasis-outbreak-us-probes-taco-bell-link-cdc-reviews-over-5100-cases-article-155102723" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: US Probes Taco Bell Link; CDC Reviews Over 5,100 Cases</a>

WHO and UNICEF warned that reductions in international health funding could slow or reverse recent gains. The agencies called on governments and partners to:

<ul><li>Strengthen immunization services in fragile and conflict-affected settings.</li><li>Counter vaccine misinformation and improve public confidence.</li><li>Increase domestic and international funding for immunization programs.</li><li>Invest in stronger disease surveillance and immunization data systems.</li></ul>They stressed that sustained investment is essential to meet the Immunization Agenda 2030 goal of reducing zero-dose children and preventing future outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

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Global childhood vaccination coverage improved in 2025, but 13.5 million children still did not receive a single vaccine in their first year of life, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases, according to the latest WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC).The report found that 85% of children worldwide (about 110 million) completed the recommended three-dose diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine series, while 90% of infants (nearly 116 million) received at least one dose of the DTP vaccine.Although the number of zero-dose children declined by nearly 750,000 compared to 2024, WHO and UNICEF said progress remains uneven."Every child, whether born into wealth or poverty, peace or conflict, deserves the life-saving protection that vaccines provide," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.Measles Vaccination Still Below TargetThe report highlights persistent gaps in measles immunization. An estimated 7.3 million infants received their first DTP dose but missed their first measles-containing vaccine (MCV1). Global measles coverage remains below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks:84% received the first measles dose (MCV1)77% received the second dose (MCV2)As a result, 57 countries reported large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2025.The recent measles outbreaks in Bangladesh and the US, underscoring how immunity gaps can quickly lead to disease resurgence. As per the latest data, Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths stands at 766, while the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide stands at 113,244.The US is also experiencing a major measles resurgence, reporting over 2,231 confirmed cases across 42 jurisdictions. This puts the country on track to surpass 2025's total (2,289 cases), which was the highest in decades, threatening the nation's measles elimination status."These outbreaks underscore how quickly immunity gaps can lead to the resurgence and spread of this highly infectious disease," said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.Also read: England Confirms Third Measles Death: NHS Launches Catch-Up MMRV Vaccination DriveConflict and Poverty Leave Millions UnprotectedMore than half of all zero-dose children live in fragile, conflict-affected or vulnerable settings, despite these countries accounting for only about one-third of the world's child population. Immunization programs in these regions continue to face disruptions due to conflict, political instability, displacement and chronic underfunding.UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that while vaccination rates have rebounded from the declines seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children remain unreached."Millions of vulnerable children are still being left unprotected due to conflict, displacement and poverty. No child should suffer from a disease that a simple vaccine can prevent."Regional Progress Remains UnevenThe report based on data from 195 countries shows mixed progress since 2019:100 countries have maintained at least 90% DTP3 coverage.30 countries improved vaccination coverage after falling below the 90% mark before the pandemic.65 countries continue to stagnate or decline, including 13 fragile or conflict-affected nations.The Americas and South-East Asia have recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic vaccination levels, with South-East Asia emerging as the best-performing WHO region.Africa, Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean have improved but remain below 2019 levels, while the Western Pacific continues to lag behind its pre-pandemic baseline.Read More: Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: US Probes Taco Bell Link; CDC Reviews Over 5,100 Cases Funding Cuts Threaten ProgressWHO and UNICEF warned that reductions in international health funding could slow or reverse recent gains. The agencies called on governments and partners to:Strengthen immunization services in fragile and conflict-affected settings.Counter vaccine misinformation and improve public confidence.Increase domestic and international funding for immunization programs.Invest in stronger disease surveillance and immunization data systems.They stressed that sustained investment is essential to meet the Immunization Agenda 2030 goal of reducing zero-dose children and preventing future outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

13.5 million children remain zero-dose in 2025 despite global vaccination gains: un report

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13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

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