Childhood vaccinations lag in Europe, making kids vulnerable to outbreaks of measles, other diseases
Immunisations against measles, whooping cough, polio, and hepatitis B remained below pre-pandemic levels in Europe and Central Asia in 2024, due largely to a sense of 'vaccine complacency' that is already causing a resurgence of preventable diseases, the agency said.
Last year, nearly 300,000 people in the region got whooping cough, more than three times as many as in 2023, the report found. More than 125,000 people got measles, the region's highest case count in more than 25 years.
'These are not just numbers – it's hundreds of thousands of families in anguish because their children are sick, and it could have been prevented,' Dr Hans Kluge, the WHO's Europe director, said in a statement.
Related
Parents urged to vaccinate their kids after child dies of measles in the UK
More than half of the region's 53 countries had vaccination rates that were below the level needed to prevent outbreaks of measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus.
Health experts often point to vaccine hesitancy to explain why more parents are opting not to immunise their children.
But Regina De Dominicis, who leads UNICEF's work in Europe and Central Asia, instead cited vaccine complacency, which is when parents believe the risks from preventable diseases are low and therefore do not see a reason to vaccinate their children.
'Today's generation has not witnessed the devastating impact of vaccine-preventable diseases – leading to complacency and making it easier for misinformation to take hold,' De Dominics said.
Related
Millions of children are missing out on routine jabs. Why aren't they getting vaccinated?
Notably, Europeans are not turning away from all vaccines equally. Over the past five years, children and young people have become more likely to get vaccines that protect against human papillomavirus (HPV), rotavirus, pneumonia, and meningitis.
Several countries have introduced these jabs in recent years, which is expected to help reduce rates of HPV infections and related cervical cancer, as well as child hospitalisations from bacterial diseases, pneumonia, and rotavirus-induced diarrhoea, the WHO said.
To boost routine immunisation rates, health officials called on countries to shore up their health systems, ensure vaccines are widely available, and fight misinformation about the jabs.
'Communities must be empowered with trusted information, so parents can confidently vaccinate their children,' Kluge said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
Global Childhood Vaccination Stalls, 2030 Targets at Risk
Global childhood vaccination coverage plateaued between 2010 and 2023, according to a new analysis published in The Lancet by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study vaccination research consortium. Between 2010 and 2019, 100 of the 204 countries monitored saw a decline in measles vaccine coverage. Notably, 21 of the 36 high-income countries experienced a drop in coverage for at least one vaccine dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP); measles; or polio. 'These types of study will always be limited by the lack of high quality national data from most countries in the world which means there has to be extrapolation and assumption,' said Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and professor of Infection and Immunity at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, in a press statement. 'Nevertheless, these are important data providing a concerning picture of recent declines in vaccine coverage and an increase in the number of zero dose children which risks the future health and lives of millions of children.' Between 1980 and 2023, global coverage of vaccines against DTP, measles, polio, and tuberculosis nearly doubled. These gains reflect the success of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Expanded Program on Immunization, launched in 1974 to ensure universal access to essential vaccines. Between 1980 and 2019, the number of children who received no doses of DTP in their first year of life dropped from 58.8 million to 14.7 million — figures recorded just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted immunization programs worldwide. To support the WHO's 2019 goal of improving global vaccination coverage by 2030, the GBD consortium conducted an in-depth analysis of routine childhood immunization trends in 204 countries and territories from 1980 to 2023, with projections through 2030. The findings are intended to inform global and regional strategies for closing coverage gaps over the next 5 years. Progress Slowed After 2010 The study found that global progress in childhood immunization stalled around 2010 and has since reversed in several regions. Coverage rates for DTP, measles, and polio declined notably in many countries. Polio remains endemic in parts of the world, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, which continue to report outbreaks caused by wild poliovirus. In Papua New Guinea, less than half of the population is vaccinated against the disease. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted global vaccination efforts. Between 2020 and 2023, approximately 15.6 million children missed all three doses of DTP, another 15.6 million missed their first dose of the measles vaccine, 15.9 million went without all three polio vaccine doses, and 9.2 million were not immunized with the BCG vaccine. In 2023 alone, an estimated 15.7 million children worldwide did not receive any dose of the DTP vaccine in their first year of life. Brazil ranked eighth globally, with roughly 452,000 unvaccinated children. The countries with the highest numbers of zero-dose children included Nigeria (2.48 million), India (1.44 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (882,000), Ethiopia (782,000), Somalia (710,000), Sudan (627,000), and Indonesia (538,000). Mixed Forecasts for 2030 Goals Looking ahead, projections for 2030 suggest that only DTP coverage is on track to reach 90% globally. Coverage for measles and other routine vaccines is expected to remain highly variable by region. Among the 204 countries and territories analyzed, only 85 are currently estimated to have achieved 90% coverage for the full three-dose DTP series, 56 for pneumococcal vaccine, and 57 for the two-dose measles schedule. In the baseline scenario, those numbers are projected to rise by 2030 to 108 countries achieving 90% DTP coverage, 83 for pneumococcal, and 91 for measles. Only high-income regions are expected to maintain ≥ 90% coverage for all three vaccines. In the most optimistic scenario, 186 countries could meet the DTP target, 171 for pneumococcal, and 161 for measles. In contrast, a worst-case scenario would see even high-performing countries fall below the 90% threshold by 2030. Call for Change To achieve the Immunization Agenda 2030 goal of halving the number of zero-dose children and reaching 90% coverage across all vaccines throughout the life course, the study highlights the urgent need for 'transformational improvements in equity.' These include targeted immunization strategies, strengthening of primary care, and efforts to counter vaccine hesitancy. Emily Haeuser, PhD, lead author of the study, emphasized the challenge of improving vaccine delivery and uptake in underserved areas. 'The diversity of challenges and barriers to immunization varies widely across countries and within communities,' she said, pointing to factors such as displacement, armed conflict, political instability, economic uncertainty, climate crises, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy. 'This underscores the need for new, locally tailored solutions.' Helen Bedford, PhD, professor of child health at University College London, London, England, who was not involved in the study, added that the decline in vaccine uptake stems from a complex set of issues. 'Addressing these challenges requires commitment and resources to tackle growing social inequalities, misinformation about vaccine safety, and the need to rebuild public trust in immunization programs,' she said. 'Vaccination remains our most powerful tool to protect child health, but its success depends on sustained investment, equity, and public confidence.'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
ArkBio's Ziresovir Included into Pediatric RSV Drug Priority List by WHO
SHANGHAI, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the newly released "Paediatric drug optimization for respiratory syncytial virus (PADO-RSV) meeting report" by Global Accelerator for Paediatric formulations (GAP-f), the World Health Organization (WHO) host network, ziresovir (10mg) has been included in the PADO-RSV priority list. Ziresovir, developed by Shanghai Ark Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("ArkBio"), is the first and only RSV antiviral drug to be included in the list. This is the first time WHO has included an anti-RSV drug developed from China in the paediatric drug optimization priority list. Filling a Global Gap: Ziresovir Leads RSV Antiviral Development RSV is the leading pathogen of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants and young children globally, causing approximately 33 million cases of LRTIs, 3.6 million hospitalizations, and 101,400 deaths annually, with 97% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the severe threat, current specific treatment options for RSV are extremely limited, and there is a clinical urgent need for safe, effective, and child-appropriate innovative drugs. The "Paediatric drug optimization for respiratory syncytial virus (PADO-RSV)" project initiated by WHO/GAP-f aims to systematically review the global R&D pipeline, clarify R&D priorities, and promote the development and accessibility of RSV prevention and treatment tools more suitable for the paediatric population. With its clear clinical value, child-friendly design, and good safety profile, ziresovir becomes the only product in the antiviral drug category selected for the PADO-RSV priority list, demonstrating its huge potential in the paediatric RSV treatment globally. WHO pointed out in the report that ziresovir's research results are of great significance to the global RSV treatment field and recommended conducting diverse clinical studies in broader populations to further verify its applicability and effectiveness. ArkBio will actively respond to WHO's advice with a plan to expand ziresovir's clinical development in other countries and regions. By collaborating with international scientific institutions and public health organizations, ArkBio aims to rapidly advance the drug's global registration and accessibility. Simultaneously, ArkBio is deeply aware of the importance of global public health, particularly concerned about the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries. The company will formulate drug accessibility plans specifically for these countries to ensure ziresovir can be supplied at reasonable prices globally wherever it is needed, contributing to the prevention and treatment of RSV infection. "ArkBio has a mission to 'help patients inspire and thrive'", Dr. Jim Wu, CEO of ArkBio, stated. "The inclusion of ziresovir in the WHO PADO-RSV priority list is not only an affirmation of the years of effort by ArkBio scientists, but also an inspiration for our corporate mission. The recognition of ziresovir would allow us to expedite its global development and realize the potential on the global stage. We will ensure the innovation can not only benefit patients in China but the very needed patients worldwide. This is not just our goal but our social responsibility. ArkBio will strive to contribute more to address global public health issues." About GAP-f GAP-f stands for the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network. Hosted by WHO, it operates throughout the drug development lifecycle to accelerate the research, development, and dissemination of optimized pediatric formulations. Identifying priorities is the first step toward a targeted R&D approach. Establishing a priority list of the most urgently needed pediatric formulations is crucial, as it helps focus the efforts and resources of researchers and suppliers on specific dosage forms and formulations that address children's most critical needs. About PADO PADO stands for Paediatric Drug Optimization. It is a WHO's legally binding international priority (based on WHA69.20 resolution) that accelerates the development of high-demand pediatric drugs by building consensus among regulators, funders, and manufacturers. It aims to identify priority products for R&D and define their ideal characteristics. It has been successfully implemented in areas including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C, tuberculosis, COVID-19, antibiotics, neglected tropical diseases, and childhood cancers. These initiatives demonstrate that, against the backdrop of a fragmented and small pediatric drug market, such efforts hold potential and deliver tangible impacts in accelerating access to optimized formulations. About Ziresovir Ziresovir is a novel small-molecule RSV fusion (F) protein inhibitor. It binds to the pre-F protein conformation of the virus and prevents viral entry into human cells. Ziresovir can also suppress RSV viral transmission by blocking cell-to-cell fusion through the formation of "syncytia", a characteristic event of RSV infection of host cells. It is the first oral anti-RSV drug that has completed a phase 3 pivotal clinical study with positive results. The phase 3 results have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. Ziresovir has received Breakthrough Therapy designation by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China. About ArkBio ArkBio is a global biotech company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for respiratory, infectious, and pediatric diseases. Founded in 2014, it has built core technology platforms and a differentiated R&D pipeline through in-house R&D efforts and external collaboration. Key drug assets include ziresovir (AK0529), the first direct-acting RSV antiviral with positive pivotal phase III results, and Azstarys (AK0901), an FDA-approved ADHD therapeutic drug. ArkBio has established strategic partnerships with several multinational pharmaceutical companies and academic institutes, including Roche, Genentech, the Scripps Research Institute, the Institute of Microbiology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, domestic and international biotechnology companies, as well as venture capital institutions. For more information, please visit: Inquiries: IR@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Arkbio Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS) Announces Expansion To Canada
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) is among the 13 Best Booming Stocks to Buy Now. On July 9, the digital health and wellness platform announced plans to expand in Canada by offering generic semaglutide. A nurse in a telehealth platform talking with a patient on video call for consultation. This comes at a time when Novo Nordisk is set to lose its patent protection on Ozempic and Wegovy in Canada for not paying a maintenance fee in 2019. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) joins a growing list of companies that are capitalizing on Novo Nordisk's lapsed patent on its GLP-1s. The introduction of generics is a pivotal moment for Canada's healthcare industry. With about two-thirds of adults in the country being overweight or obese, access to treatments has remained elusive for many due to the high costs. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) intends to offer generic semaglutide at a significant discount to the currently branded versions, with prices expected to further decrease over time. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS)'s decision to enter the Canadian market follows the company's acquisition of European telehealth platform, Zava, in June, which will expand its services to France, Germany, and Ireland, and grow its active customer base by approximately 50%. While we acknowledge the potential of HIMS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Best German Stocks to Invest in Now and Goldman Sachs Stock Portfolio: 10 Large-Cap Stocks To Buy. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
