Stagnation in childhood vaccination coverage after pandemic opens door for outbreaks of neglected infections

World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEFpresented the latest coverage estimates childhood immunization for vaccination against 14 diseases. Data collected from 195 Member States showed that in 2023, around 14.5 million children have not received any vaccines. The largest number of children with zero dose were reported in Nigeria (2,134,000), followed by India (1,592,000) and Ethiopia (917,000). Globally, these countries account for approximately 15% and 11% of children with zero dose. zero dose.

Also, according to the information provided, global childhood immunization coverageStagnation will occur in 2023. About 2.7 million boys and girls will not be vaccinated or fully immunized compared to pre-2019 pandemic levels. In terms of three-dose vaccine coverage. DPT (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough) was 84% ​​in 2023, and globally, in 23 out of 195 (12%) countries, DTP3 coverage was less than 70% in 2023.

Global Health and Childhood Expert from UNICEF Spain, Rebecca Jonssonexplains EL MUNDO that the receipt of the third dose of DTP-3 has remained at 84% compared to “before the pandemic, which was 86%. Here you can see how these two percentages did not recoverand for me and for all of us who work here with great difficulty, it is very disturbing that those who did not receive no dose of DPT1 increased.” In 2022, the number of unvaccinated children was 13.9 million, and “this year, 2023, according to the data we published, it has grown to 14.5 million.”

“Right now the data is showing us that they are stagnating, that they were not like that anymore.” full immunization coverage to what it was before the pandemic in 2019. This remains very worrying because it shows that the efforts being made to restore and ensure that these boys and girls are able to be vaccinated are not producing as much results as they would like,” Jonsson reiterates.

Regarding infection human papilloma virus“the most common viral infection of the reproductive system,” immunization rates have increased from 20% to 27%, according to data presented only in girls. “That’s a long way from the 90% needed, but thanks to efforts and countries like Nigeria, Bangladesh and Indonesia that have introduced the vaccine, we’re seeing an increase,” says a vaccine expert. The latest estimates for the year highlight the need constant efforts achieve restoration of vaccination levels to pre-pandemic levels.

What is the global vaccination coverage?

The main goal of the WHO Immunization Agenda 2030 is to achieve vaccination is available to everyoneand everywhere by 2030. “The urgent priority is to rapidly and equitably scale up COVID-19 vaccine production in all countries.” However, the focus is on the current attention given to the COVID-19 vaccine as it “takes resources away from existing vaccination activitiesforcing countries to cope with disruptions to immunization services and other essential primary health care services.”

Another disease similar to Hepatitis Bwhich affects the liver, in “190 EU Member States the vaccine against this disease has been administered to infants”, and the global coverage with three doses of the vaccine is estimated to be 83%. Similarly, the global coverage is 45%, in the Western Pacific region it reaches 79%, and in Africa it is 17%.

For measleshighly contagious disease that can be fatal in 2023, “83% of children have received a dose measles vaccine before reaching the age of two years, and two doses were given to 74% of children.” 103 countries affected by measles outbreaks“where about three-quarters of the world’s babies live.” Last year, 190 countries included the second dose in their national vaccination scheme.

yellow feverwho transmit it infected mosquitoesvaccination coverage in “countries threatened by the disease is 50%, which is well below the recommended value of 80%.” In addition, there is another viral and highly infectious disease. polio. In 2023, “three doses polio vaccine up to 83% of infants.” Despite this, there are irregularities in terms of distribution and coverage, “in European region WHO accounts for 89%, while in Southeast Asia makes up only 6%.”

Each of these diseases affects the development of the child, and data shows that ultimately the most susceptible to infection with these pathologies are children living in countries of conflict and violencein fragile settings and “where they are vulnerable to preventable diseases due to disruptions and lack of access to security, nutrition and health services,” WHO stresses.

The vaccine specialist adds that “in Spain we also cannot let our guard down, we must continue to remember that these vaccines save lives“It is very important that every boy and girl can be vaccinated because we know that the more people are vaccinated, the more lives will be saved from diseases like measles, which sadly continues to kill many children.”

Commitment to global work

New data also show smallimproving immunization coverage. Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biology, WHO, Katherine O’Brienhighlights that “the African region has seen a 1% increase in coverage and use of third doses. Similarly, “the number of zero doses in children has decreased in 2023 compared to 2022. There were 7.3 million children in 2022 compared to 6.7 million in 2023. It is too early to call this a recovery, but it is certainly good news.

“WHO is committed to working with all its partners to help countries fill these gaps and protect children most at risk as quickly as possible,” the doctor said. Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusDirector General of WHO.