The United Nations has reported a rise in missed vaccinations for critical diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough in 2023. This is primarily attributed to escalating conflicts across the globe, hindering vaccine supply and access, particularly in war-torn regions.
Approximately 14.5 million children missed out on vaccinations in 2023, a slight increase from the 13.9 million recorded the previous year. Although lower than the 18 million missed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers remain concerning.
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The impact of conflict is starkly evident, especially in countries like Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan, which saw a significant surge in unvaccinated children. More than half of the world’s unvaccinated children reside in fragile, conflict-affected, or vulnerable settings, despite representing only 28% of the global birth cohort.
Despite these challenges, there are some positive signs. The African region witnessed a decrease in “zero-dose” children, and global coverage of the HPV vaccine, crucial for cervical cancer prevention, improved. Furthermore, Ukraine, despite its ongoing conflict, showed improvement in vaccination coverage.