LONDON: More than 14 million children worldwide went without a single vaccine in 2024 — a figure nearly unchanged from the previous year — according to new data from United Nations health agencies. Just nine countries accounted for over half of these unprotected children.
In their annual global immunization report released Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF said that 89% of children under the age of one received the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTP) vaccine last year — the same rate as in 2023. Meanwhile, 85% completed the full three-dose series, a slight increase from 84% the year before.
However, officials warned that dramatic cuts to international aid in 2024 have made it harder to reach vulnerable populations. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the WHO, halted nearly all humanitarian assistance, and later moved to shut down USAID. More recently, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the U.S. would stop funding Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, accusing the organization of “ignoring the science.”
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, has cast doubt on the safety of the DTP vaccine — despite overwhelming evidence from decades of research and global use confirming its safety and effectiveness. According to the UN, vaccines prevent between 3.5 and 5 million deaths each year.
“Severe funding cuts combined with widespread misinformation are putting decades of progress at serious risk,” warned WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
UN officials also highlighted persistent global disparities in vaccine access, worsened by conflict and humanitarian crises. Sudan reported the lowest vaccination coverage for DTP. Just nine countries — Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola — were home to 52% of all children who received no vaccines at all in 2024.
On a more positive note, global measles vaccination coverage saw a slight uptick, with 76% of children receiving both recommended doses. But experts caution that at least 95% coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks of the highly contagious virus. WHO said 60 countries experienced significant measles outbreaks last year.
In the U.S., measles cases reached the highest level in over 30 years, while Europe saw a surge with 125,000 reported cases in 2024 — double the number from 2023.
In the UK, health officials confirmed the death of a child from measles last week at a hospital in Liverpool. Despite awareness campaigns, only about 84% of children in the UK are vaccinated against the disease.
“It’s deeply concerning — but sadly not unexpected — that measles outbreaks continue to rise,” said Professor Helen Bradford of University College London. “Vaccination is the only way to stop measles. It’s never too late — even adults can and should get vaccinated.”
