UN Warns 14 Million Children Miss Vaccinations in 2024

More than 14 million children worldwide did not receive a single vaccine in 2024, a figure that has remained consistent with the previous year, according to a report from UN health officials. This alarming statistic underscores significant ongoing challenges in global vaccination efforts, with nine countries accounting for over half of these unvaccinated children.

In their annual global vaccine coverage estimate, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF revealed that approximately 89 percent of children under one year old received their first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTP) vaccine in 2024, reflecting the same level as in 2023. While the completion rate for the three-dose series increased slightly to 85 percent from 84 percent in the previous year, officials warned that a decline in international aid this year could reverse these modest gains.

The situation is exacerbated by a series of policy shifts in the United States. In January, former President Donald Trump withdrew the country from the WHO and froze nearly all humanitarian aid. Last month, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the U.S. would withdraw billions of dollars previously pledged to Gavi, the vaccine alliance, claiming the group had “ignored the science.” Kennedy, known for his longstanding skepticism towards vaccines, has previously raised questions about the safety of the DTP vaccine, despite extensive evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, expressed grave concerns, stating, “Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress.”

Global Disparities in Vaccine Access

UN experts highlighted the deeply unequal access to vaccines, with conflict and humanitarian crises greatly undermining efforts. Countries such as Sudan have reported the lowest coverage rates for the DTP vaccine. The nine countries that together account for 52 percent of all unvaccinated children include Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola.

While global measles vaccine coverage saw a slight increase, with 76 percent of children receiving both doses, experts emphasize that achieving 95 percent coverage is essential to prevent outbreaks of this highly contagious disease. The WHO reported that last year, 60 countries experienced major measles outbreaks, including the United States, which is currently facing its worst outbreak in over three decades.

Europe has also seen a significant rise in measles cases, with 125,000 reported in 2024—double the figures from the previous year. In the UK, health authorities recently reported the death of a child from measles in a Liverpool hospital. Despite extensive awareness campaigns, only around 84 percent of children in the UK are adequately vaccinated.

The Importance of Vaccination

Professor Helen Bradford from University College London commented on the ongoing outbreaks, stating, “It is hugely concerning, but not at all surprising, that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles. The only way to stop measles spreading is with vaccination. It is never too late to be vaccinated—even as an adult.”

Vaccines are estimated to prevent between 3.5 million and 5 million deaths annually, highlighting their critical role in global health. The current trends in vaccination coverage, combined with funding cuts and misinformation, pose significant threats to public health efforts worldwide.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, but is solely responsible for all content.