Childhood immunisation coverage ‘inching forward’
The number of children being immunised for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough is almost back to pre-Covid levels, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has said.
Despite conflict and vaccine hesitancy, Unicef claimed that global childhood immunisation coverage is “inching forward”, providing vital protection against deadly diseases.
According to its latest analysis, 90% of infants globally – nearly 116 million children – received at least one dose of a diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine in 2025, while 85% completed the full three-dose series. Still, some 13.5 million children received no doses, which is 750,000 fewer children than in 2024.
“Governments and health workers have helped global vaccination rates bounce back after dropping significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Catherine Russell, Unicef’s executive director.
“But millions of vulnerable children are still being left unprotected due to conflict, displacement, and poverty. We must reach every child, and we must rebuild trust where it is fraying. No child should suffer from a disease that a simple vaccine can prevent.”
Image: CDC
