Global childhood immunization coverage recorded modest progress in 2025, but millions of children remain without life-saving vaccines as conflict, humanitarian crises and vaccine hesitancy continue to disrupt health services, according to new estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
The latest WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) show that 90% of infants worldwide, approximately 116 million children, received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2025. About 85%, representing roughly 110 million children, completed the recommended three-dose series. Although these figures reflect a slight improvement from 2024, global immunisation coverage has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Despite the progress, an estimated 13.5 million infants received no routine vaccines at all, making them “zero-dose” children. According to WHO and UNICEF, more than half of these children live in countries affected by conflict, political instability or humanitarian emergencies, where access to essential health services remains disrupted.
The report also highlights ongoing challenges, including vaccine hesitancy, disease outbreaks, population displacement and funding constraints, all of which threaten efforts to expand immunisation coverage. The agencies warned that without sustained investment and stronger health systems, hard-earned gains could be reversed.
WHO and UNICEF described vaccines as one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions, protecting millions of children each year from diseases such as measles, diphtheria, pertussis and polio. They urged governments and development partners to prioritise routine immunisation, particularly in fragile and underserved communities, to ensure that every child has access to life-saving vaccines.
English