A growing number of children around the world are now vulnerable to diseases that are easily preventable with vaccines—such as measles, polio, and tuberculosis—according to a new study published Tuesday in The Lancet medical journal.
The global analysis, led by researchers at the University of Washington, reveals a worrying trend: progress in childhood immunisation has slowed down—or even reversed—in many countries since 2010. This setback is largely driven by persistent health inequalities, rising vaccine hesitancy, and the spread of misinformation.
One of the most alarming findings is the sharp decline in measles protection across 100 countries, including wealthier nations that had previously managed to eliminate the highly contagious virus. The study warns that unless this trend is reversed, outbreaks could become increasingly common.
Despite these recent challenges, the researchers note that over the past five decades, childhood vaccination programs have saved an estimated 154 million lives. But as of 2023, around 16 million children had not received a single dose of any routine vaccine. The majority of these unvaccinated children live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The study identified eight countries that accounted for over half of the world’s unvaccinated children last year: Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia, and Brazil.
The authors also pointed to shifts in global health policy that may affect vaccine access. They highlighted the withdrawal of U.S. funding from the World Health Organisation and the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development under President Donald Trump as significant setbacks. However, they noted that it is still too early to fully understand the long-term impact of these changes on global immunisation rates.
Calling routine childhood vaccination one of the most cost-effective tools in public health, the researchers urged governments and international organisations to renew their commitment to equitable vaccine access.
The study was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.
