Global Childhood Vaccination Stalls, 2030 Targets at Risk
'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.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
West Midlands named worst for common travel-related illness and reason why
The West Midlands has been named the worst place for cases of a common travel-related sickness bug. The region recorded the highest number of travel-related gastrointestinal (GI) infections in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). There were 477 cases in the West Midlands, representing 17.6% of the total cases in England. READ MORE: Tragedy as man's body found in West Bromwich canal Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join The UKHSA said the main bugs causing these infections include cryptosporidium, giardia and salmonella – generally picked up from infected water and food. However the region also recorded the second highest rate of enteric fever (typhoid/paratyphoid) nationally, with 67 cases. These illnesses are caused by things like salmonella bacteria, which is more common in countries with less developed sanitary facilities. They can be spread through food and drink, including shellfish affected by sewage entering drinking water. However infections are preventable in all of these cases. Meanwhile, malaria also remains a significant risk for people travelling to endemic areas, with the West Midlands accounting for around 9% of UK cases in 2023 (181 out of 2,106), an increase of 27% on 2022. The reasons for travelling cited by UK cases were visiting friends and relatives (74%), travelling for holiday (20%) and travelling for work (6%). Elsewhere, travel-related measles cases have increased significantly since 2022, reflecting global trends of the disease and increasing levels of travel following the pandemic, with children under 10 most affected. Recent outbreaks have been seen in several other European countries including Romania, France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. Katie Spence, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands is a central transport hub and has a diverse population, so there is a lot of international travel, increasing risk of travel-related infections. "The main infections we are seeing in the region are gastrointestinal and enteric fever, which are preventable, with risk greatly reduced by practicing good hand hygiene and making sure fresh food is rinsed well in clean water. "Measles remains an ongoing risk, both in England and abroad, particularly for children, so it's important to make sure everyone is up to date with their MMR vaccines. "Certain countries also require specific vaccinations, so you should arrange these with your GP surgery in good time before travelling. "The Travel Health Pro website, has detailed country-specific information, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as malaria tablets, and how to avoid traveller's diarrhoea and other serious gastrointestinal infections. "We want everyone in the West Midlands to enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season, whether at home or abroad. "So whether you're visiting family and friends, taking a mini-break, going somewhere you know well or a more exotic location, there are simple steps you can take before, during and after travel to reduce your risk of picking up an unwanted infection, ruining your trip and having to take time off work or school when you get back. "From vaccinations to basic hygiene, practising safe sex, and being aware of symptoms, there are easy ways to stay well."
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 3 Stages Of 'Teen Separation', According To A Psychologist
A clinical psychologist has identified three stages teens go through when 'separating' from their parents – and it's resonating with a lot of people on social media. In a video shared on TikTok, Dr Lucie Hemmen said 'one of the most triggering things about teenagers is their separation process' from their parents, which often happens in a handful of stages (more on that in a moment). First of all, why do teens distance themselves from their parents? Adolescence occurs between the ages of 10 to 19 – it's the period between childhood and adulthood where tweens and teens experience 'rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth', according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). As part of this, teens can begin pushing away from their parents, which adolescent therapist Ashley Hudson said is part of a typical developmental process. 'Teenagers want and subconsciously push for independence. Their biological clock ticks inside of them saying, 'Hey! You've got to figure out this adulting thing, because you are going to be on your own soon',' she explained. This might mean your teen is pushing back on boundaries, engaging in risky behaviours or simply spending more time with friends or romantic interests. This period is all about finding out who they are as a person outside of the family unit – and for parents, it's tough. The child you have nurtured and who might've idolised you for years all of a sudden doesn't want to know. What are the three stages of separation? Dr Hemmen said the first stage you might notice as your teen begins to pull away is disagreements. 'So a lot of times when a kid turns 13 or 14, their parent says: 'Oh my god, everything is an argument',' she explained. During arguments, the key advice for parents is to try and stay calm – as parental aggression is likely to be mirrored with teen aggression. The NHS advises ensuring your body language reflects your willingness to listen, and to give your teenager personal space during an argument. If things get very heated, don't be afraid to take time out. Explain you are going for a walk and will come back again in half an hour. The second stage of teen separation, added Dr Hemmen, is withdrawal. 'They often spend more time in their rooms because they're really craving independence,' she explained. This might also look like spending more time with friends. Again, teens withdrawing is a normal part of their emotional development – they're going off on their own, forming 'their own opinions, identity and values', according to psychologist Dr John Townsend. When this begins to happen, coaching site Reach Out urges parents not to take it personally – instead, keep an eye on your teen while also giving them the space and time to 'handle their own lives' (easier said than done, we know). Of course, sometimes withdrawal can be a red flag, which is why it's important for parents to avoid taking their foot completely off the pedal. If you're worried about your child, don't be afraid to be present, patient and share open-ended and emotionally neutral questions or statements like, 'I've noticed you seem quieter lately. That's totally OK, but I just want you to know I'm here anytime you want to talk'. (You can find more helpful, therapist-approved advice here.) Lastly, stage number three of teen separation is bending the rules and pushing the limits, according to Dr Hemmen. 'Let's face it, there's a spectrum. Some teenagers do this a little bit, some teenagers do it a lot. Obviously it's very triggering when they go way off road,' said Dr Hemmen. 'But the positive intention in that behaviour for teenagers is to explore the world and to think for themselves – and they often learn a lot about boundaries through crossing them and living with the impact of that.' Parents of teens are relating hard In response to the video, one parent wrote: 'I miss my sweet baby boy! Having a teenage boy is like trying to have a relationship with a guy that's not interested.' Their comment clearly resonated with a lot of people, as it had over 400 likes at the time of writing. Another said: 'I'm in stage 3 and I'm learning to walk a fine line of still parenting and letting my daughter grow up.' Making space for a teen's autonomy can clearly pay off in the long run though, as one parent commented: 'I learned that when I didn't push back, but openly encouraged and supported their autonomy and normalised and accepted their priorities and values being different than mine, they really matured.' Hang on in there! Related... Therapist Shares 5 Phrases To Use When Teens 'Talk Back' Martin Lewis Urges Parents Of Teens To Do 1 Thing When They Turn 18 WTF Does 'Crashing Out' Mean When Teens Say It?
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
Why ProSocial AI Is ProPlanetary AI. A Promise For Planetary Harmony
Green lungs of planet Earth. 3d rendering of a clean lake in a shape of lungs in the middle of ... More virgin forest. Concept of nature and rainforest protection, nature breathing and natural co2 reduction. We have come to a remarkable moment in human history. On one side, artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize how we understand and interact among each other and with our environment. On the other, we face what scientists call the "Great Acceleration", a period where human activity has pushed six of nine planetary boundaries beyond safe limits, including climate change, biodiversity loss and biogeochemical flows, threatening the very foundations of life on Earth. But what if these two realities aren't opposing forces? What if AI, guided by the right human intentions, could help us write a new chapter where technology and nature exist in harmony rather than conflict? The Planetary Health Imperative A recent commentary in The Lancet makes a compelling case for connecting planetary boundaries with planetary health, the understanding that human wellbeing depends entirely on Earth's natural systems. The authors argue that destabilizing our planet's life-support systems fundamentally threatens human health in ways we're only beginning to understand, with health impacts occurring even before planetary boundaries are transgressed. Four cornerstones are proposed for integration: recognizing that Earth system destabilization threatens human health, centering justice for vulnerable populations, accounting for true costs and benefits of environmental policies, and developing integrated science communication to build broader support for change. Critically, each planetary boundary requires comprehensive health risk assessment, something that demands permanent platforms for transdisciplinary collaboration between Earth system scientists, health researchers and affected communities. Consider the interconnected web, much like the World Wide Web itself, where each strand is linked to another: climate change affects food security, which influences migration patterns, and in turn, impacts mental health and social stability. Novel chemicals alter hormone systems, while biodiversity loss weakens nature's ability to regulate diseases. Ocean acidification threatens protein sources for billions. Each boundary crossed sends a ripple through this vast, complex system, much like how a single change on one webpage can ripple across the entire internet. Within this reality lies an opportunity. The very systems thinking that allows us to trace these connections also points toward solutions. This is where AI's potential becomes truly interesting — it functions as the network's protocol, capable of navigating and optimizing these connections, finding solutions faster and more efficiently – and helping us restore balance to the web that sustains us. Minds Behind Machines The neuralgic feature is that AI is not neutral. It amplifies human values, priorities and ways of thinking. If humankind continues to allow the approach to AI development to be dominated by extractive mindsets, viewing nature as a resource to be optimized and controlled, we'll create systems that perpetuate our current trajectory toward planetary collapse. But if we can find the way to make a conscious effort to ground AI development in what Indigenous wisdom has long understood; that human and planetary health are inseparable, we open possibilities for genuinely transformative technology. This shift requires what the Lancet commentary calls "overcoming the root causes of the intertwined environmental, health, and justice crises" by "changing the mindsets that created them and embracing the interconnectedness of all people and nature." AI As Nature's Ally Imagine AI systems designed with this ecological wisdom at their core. Instead of maximizing short-term profits, they could optimize for long-term planetary health. Instead of treating symptoms, they could address root causes of environmental degradation. We're already seeing glimpses of this potential. AI is helping restore degraded ecosystems by analyzing satellite imagery to identify optimal reforestation sites. It's revolutionizing agriculture by enabling precision farming that uses fewer resources while maintaining yields. Climate models powered by machine learning are providing surprising insights into Earth system dynamics. But the real transformation can happen only when we scale this thinking and recognize the co-benefits that emerge when we align technology with planetary health. The Lancet commentary emphasizes that policies to mitigate Earth system destabilization often have immediate and long-term health benefits, making them more compelling and cost-efficient. Picture AI systems that can: The Shadow Side We Cannot Ignore Still – we must also confront the paradox of using AI to support planetary health: AI's current trajectory is accelerating the very problems it could help solve. Data centers accounted for roughly 1.5% of global electricity consumption in 2024, and this amount is expected to double by 2030 because of AI use. The numbers are staggering. AI-specific servers in data centers are estimated to have used between 53 and 76 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, enough to power more than 7.2 million US homes for a year. Water consumption is equally concerning: Google's water consumption jumped 20% in 2024, while data centers in the United States use about 7,100 liters of water for each megawatt-hour of energy they consume – that's enough to run 70 loads of laundry in an average washing machine The land footprint is expanding rapidly too. Companies have leased nearly 3 gigawatts of data-center capacity in North America in the first half of 2024, which is up from 1.4 gigawatts in the first half of 2023. Combined investments from Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Apple alone will exceed $450 billion in 2025. Types of energy production that had been discontinued in many places, from coal to nuclear energy are being brought back to satisfy the gigantic energy appetite of our growing artificial treasure chest. This isn't sustainable. If we continue on this path, AI will become a major driver of environmental degradation rather than a solution to it. And here we have answers already. We urgently need to steer AI development deliberately, not only toward efficiency but people and planet-oriented responsibility. This means investing in renewable energy to power data centers, building AI models that require less energy and water, and enforcing stricter corporate environmental performance standards that preserve livelihoods and ecosystems. ProSocial AI is proplanetary AI and vice-versa. But none of this will happen without serious governance reforms. Governments, regulators, and international bodies must step in to set clear environmental limits on AI development and hold tech companies accountable. With the right rules and incentives in place, AI can reduce its own footprint while accelerating solutions for planetary health—instead of becoming a driver of further harm. The Justice Imperative Justice is central to the planetary health approach. Environmental changes impact everyone, but they disproportionately weigh on future generations, Indigenous peoples and already marginalized communities. Differently put – those who contributed least to the problems are the ones who bear the biggest burden. It is time to address this lack of justice – and absence of logic. The same lack of fairness applies to AI development. We cannot create prosocial AI – AI systems that are tailored, trained, tested and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet, without including the voices and needs of those most affected by both environmental degradation and technological change. This means involving diverse communities in AI governance, ensuring equitable access to AI benefits and designing systems that strengthen rather than undermine local autonomy and traditional knowledge. A Planetary Framework For Transformation Moving forward requires a holistic understanding of humanity's relationship with nature, and the planet. It is time for a large-scale approach to cultivate individual and institutional understanding of what's at stake – and mobilize action. In this endeavor we also need a new narrative that positions AI not as humanity's replacement but as our partner in planetary healing. The path forward can be summarized in the acronym PLANET: Prioritize regenerative design, Build AI systems that restore rather than deplete natural systems, starting with dramatically reducing the energy and resource footprint of AI infrastructure itself. Lead with justice, Center equity and community voice in AI development, ensuring that technological solutions strengthen rather than undermine local autonomy and traditional knowledge. Align with nature's wisdom, Design AI systems that mimic natural processes: circular, adaptive, resilient, and focused on long-term stability rather than short-term optimization. Navigate complexity, Use AI's pattern recognition capabilities to understand and work with Earth's interconnected systems rather than trying to control them. Engage communities, Make AI development a participatory process that includes diverse voices, especially those most affected by environmental and technological change. Transform systems, Use AI to enable fundamental shifts in how we organize food, energy, transportation and economic systems around planetary health principles. The Triple Promise Of Prosocial AI We stand at a threshold where AI could become humanity's most loyal ally in planetary healing, but only if we understand what "prosocial AI" truly means. It's not just about making AI more helpful or ethical. It's about creating technology that is simultaneously pro-people, pro-planet, and pro-potential. Pro-people means AI that strengthens communities rather than displacing them, that amplifies human wisdom rather than replacing it, and that ensures the benefits of technological advancement flow to those who need them most, not just those who can afford them. Pro-planet means AI systems designed within ecological limits, that regenerate rather than degrade natural systems, and that treat Earth's boundaries not as constraints to overcome but as the fundamental parameters for sustainable innovation. Pro-potential means AI that unlocks humanity's capacity for collective intelligence, creativity, and cooperation — helping us imagine and build futures we couldn't create alone. A commitment to prosocial AI could awaken our collective potential as Earth's conscious participants rather than its unconscious destroyers. A Regenerative Future Awaits Imagine waking up fifty years from now in a world where AI has helped deliver the greatest regeneration in human history. Cities breathe like forests. Oceans teem with life. The climate has stabilized. Communities thrive in diversity and dignity. Technology serves life, not the other way around. This isn't utopian fantasy — it's entirely possible with the tools we have today, guided by the wisdom we've always had. The question isn't whether we can build this future, but whether we'll choose to. Every line of code written, every algorithm trained, every AI system deployed is a vote for the kind of world we want to create. We can continue down the path of extraction and acceleration, or we can choose regeneration and wisdom. The Earth is waiting. The technology is ready. The only question left is: are we? The future isn't something that happens to us — it's something we co-create, one choice after another. And right now, we have the chance to get it right. Not just for the planet. Not just for people. But for the boundless potential that emerges when technology and nature move together in planetary harmony.
