The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have raised concerns over global immunisation, revealing that 13.5 million infants missed all routine vaccines in 2025, leaving millions of children at risk of preventable diseases.
The agencies disclosed this in their latest WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC) report, warning that conflict, poverty and growing vaccine hesitancy continue to slow progress despite improvements recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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According to the report, about 116 million children, representing 90 per cent of infants worldwide, received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2025, while around 110 million children (85 per cent) completed the recommended three-dose schedule.
Although the figures improved slightly compared to 2024, WHO and UNICEF noted that global vaccination coverage is still below pre-pandemic levels.
The report also showed that nearly 750,000 fewer children missed routine vaccinations compared to the previous year. However, millions of children still fail to complete their vaccination schedules after receiving the first dose.
One major concern highlighted in the report is measles vaccination. About 7.3 million infants received the first DTP vaccine but failed to get their first measles shot.
As a result, only 84 per cent of children received the first dose of the measles vaccine, while 77 per cent received the second dose—well below the 95 per cent coverage required to prevent outbreaks.
The low coverage contributed to 57 countries reporting major measles outbreaks in 2025.
Reacting to the findings, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said millions of children are still missing out on life-saving vaccines despite efforts to restore immunisation services.
“Governments and health workers have helped global vaccination rates bounce back after dropping significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. But millions of vulnerable children are still being left unprotected due to conflict, displacement and poverty,” she said.
“We must reach every child, and we must rebuild trust where it is fraying. No child should suffer from a disease that a simple vaccine can prevent.”
The report further revealed that over half of all children who received no vaccines now live in countries affected by conflict, political instability and weak healthcare systems.
While countries such as Sudan recorded significant improvements in vaccination coverage despite ongoing conflict, others, including Syria, experienced sharp declines.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged governments to prioritise immunisation and prevent the return of diseases that vaccines can stop.
“Every child, whether born into wealth or poverty, peace or conflict, deserves the lifesaving protection that vaccines provide,” he said.
The agencies also expressed concern that cuts in global health funding are beginning to weaken vaccination programmes and disease surveillance systems, urging governments and development partners to invest more in routine immunisation, combat vaccine misinformation and strengthen healthcare systems.
