WHO reports 14 million children unvaccinated

Recent data reveals over 14 million children worldwide have not received any vaccines.

Over 14 million children lack access to vaccines according to WHO data

According to the World Health Organization, more than 14 million children around the globe have not received a single dose of any vaccine. This number is 4 million above the WHO's target for 2024 and 1.4 million higher than in 2019. Many of these children live in countries affected by conflict and humanitarian crises, which account for half of the unvaccinated children. Numerous factors contribute to this issue, including access barriers and misinformation. Despite these challenges, the report also shows improvements, with a higher percentage of infants receiving vaccines in 2024 compared to the previous year.

The increase in unvaccinated children poses significant risks not only to individual health but also to public health infrastructure. As countries grapple with conflicts and misinformation, the implications of low vaccination rates could lead to disease outbreaks. A fractured health budget and instability in certain regions raise urgent concerns about access to vaccines. Leaders must prioritize immunization to prevent further health crises, especially as they are already strained by current global challenges.

Highlights

Continued efforts are needed to ensure that no child is left vulnerable to preventable diseases.