13.5m children miss vaccines in 2025 – WHO, UNICEF

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have issued a stark warning: 13.5 million infants worldwide missed all routine vaccinations in 2025. This alarming figure highlights a widening global immunization gap, leaving millions of vulnerable children unprotected against preventable diseases.

According to the joint report released Tuesday, progress in global immunization efforts is decelerating. The primary drivers identified for this slowdown include ongoing conflicts, pervasive poverty, and increasing vaccine hesitancy among populations. These factors collectively create significant barriers to accessing essential healthcare services for children.

The consequences of this decline in routine immunizations are severe. Children who do not receive their scheduled vaccines are at a heightened risk of contracting and suffering from diseases that are otherwise easily preventable. This situation poses a serious threat to child survival and well-being on a global scale, potentially reversing years of progress in public health.

The WHO and UNICEF are calling for renewed efforts to address the root causes of this immunization gap. They emphasize the urgent need to overcome challenges related to access, affordability, and trust in vaccination programs to ensure that all children receive the life-saving protection they need.