Official data published today, July 15, 2021 by WHO and UNICEF show that 23 million children missed out on basic vaccines through routine immunization services in 2020, 3.7 million more than in 2019.
“Even as countries clamour to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines, we have gone backwards on other vaccinations, leaving children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles, polio or meningitis.
“Multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling COVID-19, making it more urgent than ever to invest in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached”.
Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Countries affected
The latest set of comprehensive worldwide childhood immunization figures is the first official figures to reflect global service disruptions due to COVID-19. It shows that a majority of countries experienced drops in childhood vaccination rates last year.
Of more concern is the fact that most of these children, up to 17 million, likely did not receive a single vaccine during the year, widening already immense inequities in vaccine access.
Meanwhile, WHO and UNICEF indicated that most of these children live in communities affected by conflict, in under-served remote places, or in informal or slum settings where they face multiple deprivations including limited access to basic health and key social services.
Millions of children miss vital first vaccine doses in 2020
Disruptions in immunization services were widespread in 2020, with the WHO Southeast Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions most affected. This is because access to health services and immunization outreach were curtailed which increased the number of children not receiving even their very first vaccinations in all regions.
As compared with 2019, 3.5 million more children missed their first dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTP-1) while 3 million more children missed their first measles dose.
“This evidence should be a clear warning – the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions cost us valuable ground we cannot afford to lose – and the consequences will be paid in the lives and wellbeing of the most vulnerable.
“Even before the pandemic, there were worrying signs that we were beginning to lose ground in the fight to immunize children against preventable child illness, including with the widespread measles outbreaks two years ago.
“The pandemic has made a bad situation worse. With the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines at the forefront of everyone’s minds, we must remember that vaccine distribution has always been inequitable, but it does not have to be” .
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director
Middle-income countries
The data shows that middle-income countries now account for an increasing share of unprotected children – that is, children missing out on at least some vaccine doses. India is experiencing a particularly large drop, with DTP-3 coverage falling from 91% to 85%.
According to the two organizations, with many resources and personnel diverted to support the COVID-19 response, there have been significant disruptions to immunization service provision in many parts of the world. In some countries, clinics have been closed or hours reduced, while people may have been reluctant to seek healthcare because of fear of transmission or have experienced challenges reaching services due to lockdown measures and transportation disruptions.
