Vaccination rates in children have increased slightly, but millions of people are still unprotected

Annual WHO-UNICEF National Immunization Coverage Estimates reveal 90 percent of babies worldwide receive at least one dose of medication for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine last year, meanwhile 85 percent completed the recommended three-dose course.

Although both figures increase by one percentage point from 2024, global vaccination coverage remains below pre-pandemic levels.

The loss of life-saving vaccines

A estimates 13.5 million children will receive no vaccine at all during their first year of life by 2025. While this marks a decrease of nearly 750,000 children “not receiving a dose” compared to the previous year, millions of children remain beyond the reach of health services.

At the same time, more and more children are starting vaccination schedules but failing to complete them, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

“Governments and health officials have helped global vaccination rates bounce back after dropping significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

“But millions of vulnerable children remain unprotected due to conflict, displacement and poverty. We must reach every child, and we must rebuild trust in places where it has been broken.”

Measles outbreaks continue to occur

This report highlights growing concerns about measles, one of the world’s most infectious diseases.

Globally, 84 percent of children received the first measles vaccine dose by 2025 and 77 percent received the second dose, far below the 95 percent coverage needed to prevent an outbreak.

As a result, 57 countries reported large or disturbing measles outbreaks last year.

Conflict and doubt widen the gap

More than half of the children who have not received any vaccine doses live in fragile or conflict-affected countries, where immunization programs are often disrupted by insecurity, political instability and lack of funding.

Syria saw a sharp decline in vaccination coverage in 2025, while Sudan recorded one of the largest increases in the world, indicating that immunization rates can recover even in conflict situations when access to health services improves.

WHO also warned that vaccination rates are declining in some middle- and high-income countries despite the availability of vaccines, this is due to vaccine hesitancy, weakening political commitment and other structural challenges.

Funding problems

WHO Director General Tedros called vaccines one of the most effective and fair public health interventions.

“Every child, whether born into conditions of wealth or poverty, peace or conflict, has the right to the lifelong protection provided by vaccineshe said.

The agencies also warned that recent cuts to international health funding could hinder future progress.

Fewer countries will conduct national immunization surveys in 2025, limiting the ability to identify vaccine-deficient children and respond quickly to emerging outbreaks.

WHO and UNICEF calls on governments and international partners to strengthen vaccination programs in vulnerable countries, combat misinformation, increase funding and invest in stronger disease surveillance systems to prevent further setbacks.