Vaccination rates among children are declining, posing a potential risk to millions, according to research findings.

Vaccination rates among children are declining, posing a potential risk to millions, according to research findings.

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Slowdown in Childhood Vaccination Rates: A Breach in Health Security

In a concerning turn of events, global childhood vaccination rates are experiencing a significant slowdown, with many countries facing declines in coverage. This trend is a wake-up call, threatening our hard-earned progress in preventable diseases, according to a study published in The Lancet journal.

The study examined vaccination rates across 204 countries and territories. While it's not all doom and gloom, there's no denying that we've made strides in this area. An immunization program by the World Health Organization (WHO) is estimated to have saved a staggering 154 million lives over the last five decades.

However, the pace of progress has noticeably slowed down since the 2010s. For instance, measles vaccinations decreased in around half of the countries, with the largest drop seen in Latin America. Conversely, more than half of high-income countries witnessed declines in coverage for at least one vaccine dose.

The Covid-19 pandemic dealt another blow, disrupting routine vaccination services during lockdowns and other measures. This disruption resulted in nearly 13 million extra children who never received any vaccine doses between 2020 and 2023, the study found.

In 2023, over half of the world's 15.7 million completely unvaccinated children resided in eight countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. In the European Union, measles cases jumped tenfold last year compared to 2023, and in the United States, a measles outbreak surged past 1,000 cases across 30 states this month - already surpassing the total for 2024.

Cases of polio, once eradicated in many areas due to vaccination, have resurfaced in Pakistan and Afghanistan, while Papua New Guinea currently faces a polio outbreak.

"Routine childhood vaccinations are among the most powerful and cost-effective public health interventions available," said senior study author Jonathan Mosser of the US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). He added that global inequalities, challenges from the Covid pandemic, vaccine misinformation, and hesitancy have all contributed to the weakened immunization progress.

Lead study author Emily Haeuser, also from the IHME, pointed out additional factors such as rising numbers of displaced people, growing disparities due to armed conflict, political volatility, economic uncertainty, and climate crises.

The researchers warn that these setbacks could threaten the WHO's goal of having 90% of the world's children and adolescents receive essential vaccines by 2030. The WHO also aims to halve the number of children who have received no vaccine doses by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Yet, just 18 countries have achieved this so far.

In an effort to tackle this issue, Bill Gates has committed $1.6 billion to Gavi, an organization holding a fund-raising summit in Brussels next week. "For the first time in decades, the number of kids dying around the world will likely go up this year instead of down due to massive cuts to foreign aid," Bill Gates said. "That is a tragedy." © 2025 AFP

Key Insights- After steady progress from 1980 to 2019, the number of zero-dose children (those who received no routine vaccine) reduced from 58.8 million to 14.7 million. However, progress has stalled or declined since 2010.- The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp global decline in vaccination rates for several vaccines in 2020, and by 2023, immunization levels had not returned to pre-pandemic coverage.- Geographically, more than half of these unvaccinated children live in just eight countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.- Factors contributing to faltering immunization progress include the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, inequities in access, and funding challenges.- Progress requires addressing hesitancy, strengthening health systems, restoring disrupted supply chains, and focusing resources on high-burden countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

1. The slowdown in childhood vaccination rates presents a challenge to health security at an international level.
2. The United States is among the high-income countries experiencing a decline in coverage for at least one vaccine dose.
3. Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, is home to over half of the world's unvaccinated children.
4. Science plays a crucial role in understanding the reasons behind the slowdown in vaccination rates.
5. Sleep patterns are important for workplace wellness, but constant work can lead to sleep deprivation and health consequences.
6. Medical conditions such as chronic diseases, cancer, respiratory conditions, and digestive health issues require ongoing medical management.
7. Eye health, hearing, and skin conditions can significantly impact a person's quality of life and require attention in health and wellness discussions.
8. Fitness and exercise are essential components of health and wellness, promoting overall health and disease prevention.
9. Sexual health education and services are crucial in maintaining good health and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
10. Autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis require specialized therapies and treatments for management.
11. Climate change affects environmental science and can impact various aspects of health, including respiratory conditions and mental health.
12. Manufacturing industries need to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for their employees to prevent workplace-related injuries and diseases.
13. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are common and require understanding, support, and treatment.
14. Mens' health, including prostate cancer and mental health, is an important area requiring more attention and research.
15. Skin care practices play a role in maintaining health and preventing skin conditions.
16. Nutrition is closely linked to aging, with a balanced diet essential for maintaining health and preventing age-related diseases.
17. Women's health includes issues such as reproductive health, breast cancer, and osteoporosis, which require specialized care and attention.
18. Parenting involves making informed decisions to ensure the health and well-being of children, including weight management and vaccination.
19. Cardiovascular health depends on factors such as diet, exercise, and managing stress.
20. Finance plays a role in accessing healthcare services, with many people struggling to afford treatments and therapies.
21. Energy production and consumption impact the environment and contribute to climate change, affecting health and wellness.
22. Skin conditions like acne and eczema can be treated with various therapies and medications.
23. Space and astronomy contribute to our understanding of the universe and have potential applications in healthcare, such as imaging technologies.
24. Retail businesses benefit from promoting health and wellness products, helping customers make informed decisions.
25. Entrepreneurship plays a role in innovating and developing new health and wellness products and services.
26. Transportation has an impact on health through air pollution and road safety concerns.
27. Leadership in the healthcare industry involves making informed decisions to improve health outcomes and ensure equitable access to care.
28. Diversity and inclusion are essential in the healthcare industry, as it allows for a broader understanding of various health needs and outcomes.
29. Small businesses can benefit from venture capital investment in the health and wellness sector, helping to drive innovation and growth.

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