UNICEF Reports a Halt in the Increase of Children's Immunization Rates in 2023

UNICEF and WHO released data on children's immunization rates. The data showed that the number of children who received all 3 doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccines remained constant at 108 million, or 84 percent in 2023. However, the number of children who did not receive a single dose of any vaccine increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023. The reasons for this stagnation were attributed to health service disruptions, logistical challenges, vaccine hesitancy, and inequalities in access to healthcare. The data also indicated a halt in measles vaccination rates with approximately 35 million children either not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. It was reported that in 2023, only 83 percent of children worldwide received the first dose of measles vaccine, falling short of the necessary 95 percent rate for preventing outbreaks. In the last 5 years, measles outbreaks affected 103 countries, while no outbreaks occurred in 91 countries with strong vaccination programs. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, 'This is a solvable problem. Measles vaccine can be delivered even to the most difficult places. WHO is committed to working with all partners to support countries in closing these gaps and protecting the most vulnerable children.' UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized, 'Closing the immunity gap requires a global effort involving governments investing in primary healthcare services and community workers to ensure every child is vaccinated and strengthen overall healthcare services.'