NAIROBI, Kenya — The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over widening gaps in childhood immunisation, warning that millions of children remain unprotected against preventable diseases despite decades of global progress.
In a statement ahead of World Immunisation Week 2026, observed in the last week of April, the agency said at least 20 million children missed one or more routine vaccine doses in 2024, exposing them to life-threatening illnesses.
WHO cautioned that persistent disparities in vaccine access and uptake risk reversing gains made in disease prevention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where health systems face structural challenges.
“Vaccines have long been one of the most powerful tools in public health,” the agency said, noting that immunisation has saved more than 150 million lives globally over the past 50 years.
According to WHO, vaccines currently protect against more than 30 diseases, including measles, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, and rotavirus, which continue to pose significant health risks where immunisation coverage is low.
The agency also highlighted the growing role of newer vaccines targeting diseases such as malaria, human papillomavirus, cholera, dengue, meningitis, respiratory syncytial virus, Ebola, and mpox, noting that these innovations are expanding protection across all age groups.
WHO stressed that while scientific advancements have improved vaccine availability, uneven distribution and low uptake continue to undermine global health outcomes.
The agency called on governments to strengthen immunisation systems, invest in healthcare infrastructure, and prioritise equitable access to vaccines, particularly in underserved communities.
This year’s campaign is themed “For every generation, vaccines work,” reinforcing the message that immunisation remains a cornerstone of global health security.
As countries prepare to mark the week, WHO urged sustained commitment from governments, partners, and communities to close immunisation gaps and protect future generations from preventable diseases.
