Large outbreaks of diseases that largely impact children are proliferating globally, a somber shadow of the disruptions to health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic which left over 60 million children without any standard childhood vaccines.
As of mid-2023, 47 nations have reported substantial measles outbreaks, significantly higher than the 16 countries in June 2020. Nigeria currently confronts its most extensive diphtheria outbreak on record, with over 17,000 suspected cases and almost 600 deaths so far. A dozen countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe are dealing with circulating polio virus.
Moreover, many children who missed their immunizations have now exceeded the age for routine vaccination programs, contributing to almost half of all child deaths from vaccine-preventable illnesses, according to Gavi, the organization that supports vaccination efforts in low- and middle-income nations. An additional 85 million children are underimmunized due to the pandemic, receiving only part of the required shots to fully protect them from specific diseases.
The repercussions of these missed immunizations have become apparent, with measles-related deaths rising by 43% to 136,200 in 2022 compared to the previous year. The projections for 2023 suggest the figure could double. The decline in vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic is to blame, according to Ephrem Lemango, UNICEF’s associate director of immunization. UNICEF is calling for urgent action to address this situation and is seeking $350 million from Gavi to purchase vaccines to reach these children.
Efforts to deliver vaccines to these missed children face significant challenges, including new investment requirements, additional campaigns, and the need to train personnel to administer vaccines effectively.
Apart from vaccination coverage, low trust in official guidance and misinformation pose significant challenges, according to the Vaccine Confidence Project. The decline in trust has been substantial in some countries, contributing to the decline in routine immunization coverage.
Amid this crisis, UNICEF urges countries to implement catch-up vaccination blitzes to reach children aged 1 to 4 who missed their immunizations. The struggles are indeed significant, but the need to reach these children and protect them is even more pressing.
