Global Vaccination Rates Decline: Over 14 Million Children Missed Vaccines in 2024

A recent report reveals that in 2024, over 14 million children worldwide did not receive any vaccinations, with nearly 20 million missing crucial doses of the DTP vaccine. This decline in immunization threatens to reverse decades of progress in public health, leading to increased risks of outbreaks, particularly measles. Despite some improvements in vaccination coverage, significant challenges remain, including misinformation and limited access to healthcare. UNICEF and WHO officials are calling for urgent action to address these issues and ensure that no child is left unprotected against preventable diseases.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2025, 16:28 IST

Significant Drop in Childhood Vaccination

New Delhi, July 15: According to recent data on national immunization coverage released by UN agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, over 14 million children globally did not receive any vaccinations in 2024.

The findings indicate that nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine last year, jeopardizing years of progress in public health.

Additionally, more than 30 million children are inadequately protected against measles, which is likely to lead to larger and more disruptive outbreaks.

In 2024, the number of countries facing significant measles outbreaks surged to 60, nearly doubling from 33 in 2022.

The report attributes the lack of vaccinations to limited access to immunization services, supply chain disruptions, ongoing conflicts, and misinformation regarding vaccines.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized, "Vaccines save lives, enabling individuals and communities to thrive," while highlighting that the missed doses were largely due to drastic reductions in aid and vaccine safety misinformation.

Despite these challenges, global childhood vaccination coverage remained stable, with approximately 171,000 more children receiving at least one vaccine compared to 2023, and an additional one million completing the full three-dose DTP series.

In 2024, 89% of infants worldwide—around 115 million—received at least one dose of the DTP vaccine, while 85%—approximately 109 million—completed all three doses.

Measles vaccination coverage also saw improvements, with 84% of children receiving the first dose and 76% receiving the second dose, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year.

While an estimated 2 million more children were vaccinated in 2024, the overall coverage rate remains significantly below the 95% threshold necessary in every community to prevent outbreaks.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell remarked, "The positive news is that we have reached more children with essential vaccines. However, millions still lack protection against preventable diseases, which is a cause for concern for all of us."

Russell urged governments to demonstrate greater commitment to overcoming obstacles such as shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems, and misinformation, stating, "No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent."

The report also raised alarms about declining national and global funding, increasing instability worldwide, and the rise of vaccine misinformation, which could hinder or even reverse the progress made over recent decades, potentially leading to more severe diseases and deaths from vaccine-preventable illnesses.