Millions of Children at Risk as Childhood Vaccination Coverage Stalls: Pakistan Among Most Affected
A recent study published in the renowned Lancet medical journal has raised alarming concerns about global childhood immunisation rates, revealing that progress has stalled in recent decades. According to the findings, Pakistan now has the second-highest number of zero-dose children in South Asia, trailing only behind India.
Global Vaccination Progress at Risk
Since the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Essential Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in 1974, an estimated 154 million childhood deaths have been prevented. This major public health success was driven by routine immunisation against diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, and tuberculosis.
However, a new global analysis published by the Lancet—based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023—warns that vaccination progress has plateaued, especially over the past two decades. Experts now fear that the world is off track to meet its Immunisation Agenda 2030 goals set by WHO.
COVID-19’s Disruption to Childhood Immunisation
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted vaccination services worldwide. Between 2020 and 2023, an estimated:
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15.6 million children missed full doses of the DTP or measles vaccine
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15.9 million did not receive the polio vaccine
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9.18 million missed the tuberculosis vaccine
Moreover, the number of zero-dose children (those receiving no vaccines at all) rose dramatically due to pandemic-related healthcare disruptions, with around 12.8 million additional children affected globally during this period.
Unequal Progress Across Countries
While some regions have made steady improvements, the study highlights stark global inequalities. Over half of the world’s 15.7 million unvaccinated children live in just eight countries, with 53% in sub-Saharan Africa and 13% in South Asia.
Pakistan’s Growing Challenge
In South Asia, Pakistan ranks second after India in terms of the number of children who have received zero vaccines—419,000 children as of the latest data. The report also points to an increase in wild-type polio cases in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, the only two countries where polio remains endemic.
Despite efforts to eradicate polio, challenges such as security issues, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy continue to hinder progress. In response, Pakistan recently launched its third national polio vaccination drive of the year. Additionally, in April, UNICEF supported routine immunisation efforts by handing over 31 refrigerated trucks to improve vaccine delivery across the country.
Call to Action: Fighting Vaccine Hesitancy
Health experts stress that achieving the 2030 targets will require accelerated action, improved healthcare equity, and stronger public awareness to combat vaccine misinformation and hesitancy. As only 18 out of 204 countries have met the 2030 targets so far, urgent global collaboration is necessary.
Conclusion
The Lancet study serves as a powerful reminder that despite decades of progress, millions of children remain at risk from preventable diseases. For countries like Pakistan, increasing routine immunisation coverage must become a national priority—ensuring every child receives the protection they need for a healthier future.
