Global Childhood Vaccination Rates Plummet, Leaving Millions Vulnerable to Measles and Other Diseases
A concerning decline in infant vaccination rates worldwide is raising the specter of widespread outbreaks of preventable diseases, with experts warning that millions of children are now at increased risk of serious illness and death. New data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef reveals a troubling trend of stalled or reversed progress in immunisation coverage, particularly for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
More than 30 million children globally did not receive the full series of measles vaccinations, and a staggering 14.3 million infants received no routine vaccinations at all. While measles coverage saw a slight improvement in the past year – reaching 2 million more children than in 2023 – this progress is overshadowed by setbacks in middle- and high-income countries and stagnation in other regions, creating dangerous vulnerabilities.
Europe and Central Asia Face Significant Declines
The situation is particularly acute in Europe and Central Asia, where vaccination coverage has dropped by an average of one percentage point since 2019. In 2024, over half of the countries in the region failed to achieve the crucial 95% vaccination rate needed to establish herd immunity against measles. Alarmingly, almost a third reported coverage levels below 90%.
Montenegro currently has the lowest MMR coverage, with only 23% of children receiving their first dose. Globally, seven countries report vaccination rates below 50%.
UK Lags Behind Western Nations
The data highlights a particularly concerning trend in the United Kingdom, which now ranks as the worst performer among G7 nations in terms of MMR immunisation. In 2024, only 89% of children in the UK received their first MMR jab, significantly lower than rates in Germany (96%), France, Italy, and Japan (all 95%), and the United States and Canada (92%).
Measles Cases Surge Globally
The consequences of declining vaccination rates are already being felt. Reported measles cases are on the rise worldwide, with WHO/Unicef estimating approximately 10 million cases and over 100,000 deaths in 2023. The number of countries experiencing large and disruptive outbreaks nearly doubled between 2022 and 2024, jumping from 33 to 60. Cases in Europe doubled during 2024, and the US saw its highest number of cases in three years.
Unicef Warns of a Looming Crisis
Unicef has issued a stark warning that without immediate and concerted action, millions more children could succumb to preventable illnesses. “Progress is not keeping pace with the threat,” stated a senior official at Unicef. “In 2024 alone, over 20 million children globally missed their first measles dose and nearly 12 million missed their second – leaving dangerous immunity gaps that continue to fuel outbreaks.”
The official emphasized the highly contagious nature of measles, noting that even small declines in coverage can trigger devastating surges, particularly in vulnerable communities affected by conflict, displacement, or weak health systems. “To protect every child, we need to reach 95% coverage with two doses in every district, in every country. Until we do, millions of children remain at risk of serious illness or death from a disease we have the tools to prevent.”
Declining Rates for Other Diseases
The decline in vaccination rates extends beyond measles. Childhood immunisation rates for other communicable diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTP), polio, and hepatitis B, remain at pre-pandemic levels, falling short of the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. In 2024, 89% of infants received at least one dose of the DTP jab, while 85% completed the full three-dose series. Vaccination rates for polio and hepatitis B declined to 93% and 91%, respectively.
Urgent Call for Investment and Action
Dr. Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe, underscored the severity of the situation. “Last year alone, nearly 300,000 people got whooping cough in our region, more than a threefold increase on the previous year. Meanwhile, over 125,000 caught measles in 2024 – twice as many as 2023. These are not just numbers, it’s hundreds of thousands of families in anguish because their children are sick, and it could have been prevented.”
He stressed the critical need for countries to invest in robust local health systems, ensure vaccine accessibility, and combat the spread of misinformation. Sabrina Bacci, of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, added that “Strong routine immunisation systems are the best tool we have to protect us from diseases that can be prevented by safe and effective vaccines. Vaccination is not only an act of self-protection but one of solidarity.”
The current trajectory demands immediate and sustained action to reverse the decline in vaccination rates and safeguard the health of future generations.
