More than 14 million children worldwide failed to receive a single routine vaccine in 2024—unchanged from the previous year—according to figures released jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Efforts to protect children from preventable diseases have encountered persistent headwinds, including dwindling international aid, ongoing conflicts, and rising vaccine hesitancy.
The latest WHO–UNICEF estimates reveal that around 89 percent of infants under one year old received an initial dose of the DTP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough) in 2024—mirroring 2023 levels—with approximately 85 percent completing the three-dose series, up slightly from 84 percent the year before. However, the stubborn figure of over 14 million “zero-dose” infants—those who received no vaccines at all—represents a significant barrier to the Immunization Agenda 2030 target of halving such cases and reaching at least 90 percent global DTP coverage.
For the 14 million children, conflict-affected and fragile states disproportionately bear the burden: nearly half of unvaccinated children reside in countries facing instability, humanitarian crises, or poor health infrastructure. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of zero-dose children in these vulnerable regions rose from 3.6 million to 5.4 million. Nations reporting the highest shares—Nigeria, India, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Angola, and others—accounted for more than half of the global total of unvaccinated children.
An alarming case is Sudan, where ongoing war nearly emptied entire immunisation programs. A 2023 WHO–UNICEF update said the number of unvaccinated children in Sudan soared from about 110,000 in 2021 to 701,000, driven by years of political strife and systemic collapse.
Funding constraints, especially in the wake of reduced commitments from major donors, are emerging as another major obstacle. In early 2025, the United States withdrew from WHO, cut nearly all humanitarian funding, and announced withdrawal from the U.S. Agency for International Development, deals described as “dramatic cuts in aid” by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Simultaneously, decreased pledges to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—attributed in part to statements by U.S. health officials expressing skepticism—have deepened uncertainty.
Alongside funding and logistical challenges, vaccine misinformation has accelerated. Critics argue this has contributed to lower immunisation uptake and the re-emergence of preventable diseases. Measles, requiring at least 95 percent coverage to prevent outbreaks, saw global coverage stagnate at around 76 percent. This has fueled significant outbreaks in some 60 countries, including the worst U.S. measles resurgence in over 30 years and a doubling of European cases to 125,000 in 2024. Tragically, there was also a fatal instance in a child in Liverpool amid insufficient UK immunisation rates .
Regional data reveal mixed outcomes: while global HPV coverage among girls is improving—rising to 31 percent in eligible adolescents from 17 percent in 2019—this still falls short of targets . The Intergovernmental Agenda 2030, aiming to reduce zero-dose children to no more than 6.5 million by 2030 and ensure 90 percent routine immunisation coverage, is now at risk without urgent increased investment and global coordination.
Experts caution that gains from decades of vaccination momentum could unravel rapidly if these issues remain unaddressed. Many lifesaving vaccines prevent an estimated 3.5 to 5 million deaths annually—deaths that remain avoidable . WHO Director-General Tedros has warned of “unwinding decades of progress” due to shrinking aid and rising misinformation.
Global health leaders stress the importance of restoring and sustaining funding to routine immunisation programs—even amid broader crises such as pandemics or geopolitical disruptions. Strengthening primary healthcare systems, integrating vaccines into broader health and community outreach services, and reinforcing public trust through clear communication are seen as essential steps.
In summary, while modest improvements in certain vaccine programs can be credited, the overall landscape remains perilous. With over 14 million children unprotected, millions more partially immunised, and vaccination rates failing to meet herd immunity thresholds, the world stands at a critical juncture. Renewed global solidarity, strategic funding, and targeted outreach—especially in areas ravaged by conflict and inequality—are urgently needed to avert a resurgence of diseases once thought contained.
