Global childhood immunizations recover after COVID-19: Report
The latest data released by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) shows the recovery of immunization services in many countries post-COVID-19. Though there are still gaps in the recovery, significant improvements have been seen in lower-middle-income nations like India and Indonesia. Per the data, global immunization services have reached four million more children in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Countries have stepped up their efforts
In 2022, 20.5 million children missed receiving one or more vaccines administered through routine immunization services, down from 24.4 million children in 2021, according to the data. This improvement in the numbers indicates how countries have stepped up to address the COVID-19-induced backsliding in immunization. However, the numbers are still higher than in 2019, when 18.4 million children were said to have missed out.
Status of vaccinations
Of the 20.5 million children, about 14.3 million did not receive even one dose of DTP vaccinations in 2022. Collected from 183 countries, the global indicator of immunization coverage is the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. The amount is higher than the 12.9 million children in 2019 but indicates a decrease from the 18.1 million children who received zero doses in 2021.
When countries lag, children pay the price
"These data are encouraging, and a tribute to those who have worked hard to restore life-saving immunization services after two years of sustained decline in immunization coverage," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. But he also believes that "global and regional averages don't tell the entire story as they mask severe and persistent inequities. When countries and regions lag, children pay the price."
Some countries need to catch up
Among 73 nations that had significant drops in coverage during the epidemic, 15 have returned to pre-pandemic levels, 24 are headed in that direction, and, about 34 have stagnated. "Countries must ensure they are accelerating catch-up, recovery, and strengthening efforts, to reach every child with the vaccines they need and - because routine immunization is a fundamental pillar of primary healthcare," the report states.
Measles vaccination
WHO and UNICEF have warned about the vaccination against measles, one of the most infectious pathogens. Like other vaccines, the measles vaccination numbers have also not recovered, putting an additional 35.2 million children at risk of the infection. About 21.9 million children globally missed their first dose in 2022, which is 2.7 million more than in 2019. Approximately 13.3 million missed their second dose.
