Millions of children at risk as global vaccination rates decline, new study warns
A recent study published in
The Lancet
reveals a concerning global trend: millions of children are at risk of life-threatening diseases due to declining vaccination rates. The study states that measles vaccinations have declined in nearly 100 countries. Health inequalities, COVID-19 disruptions, and rising misinformation have contributed to this decline.
Despite significant progress over the past five decades, the study indicates that many countries are experiencing setbacks in childhood vaccination coverage. According to the reports, over the past 50 years, widespread vaccination efforts have saved an estimated 154 million children's lives globally.
Declining vaccination rates worldwide
The comprehensive analysis, led by the
University of Washington
, examined vaccination data from 204 countries between 1980 and 2023. The findings highlight that:
Measles vaccination coverage fell in 100 out of 204 countries, including high-income countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Japan.
The coverage for critical vaccines - including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and tuberculosis vaccine - has fallen in 21 of 36 high-income countries.
The pandemic brought huge service disruptions to vaccination; it weakened already challenged services and set back progress on vaccination.
Factors behind the decline in vaccination rates
Several factors have contributed to the reversal of vaccination progress:
Disparities in healthcare access have left certain populations underserved, hindering efforts to achieve universal immunization coverage.
The spread of misinformation has fueled
vaccine hesitancy
, leading to reduced vaccination uptake in various communities.
The pandemic diverted resources and attention, causing delays and interruptions in
routine immunization services
.
The consequences of declining vaccination charges
New data reveals that vaccination rates for key childhood diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria have fallen in many countries. Health experts have cautioned that this stagnation has serious consequences, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access to immunizations is irregular. The
World Health Organization
(WHO) estimates that nearly 25 million children missed routine immunizations in 2022 alone.
Calls for action
Enhancing the health care infrastructure to create equitable access to vaccines for all children.
Implementing public education and awareness campaigns to support those fearful of the vaccine and to gain public trust in immunization programs.
Ensuring equitable vaccine access in marginalized communities, including prioritizing the restoration of routine immunization services disrupted during COVID to ensure pandemics or disruptions do not prevent catching up on missed vaccinations.
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