WHO: 23m Children Missed Routine Immunisation in 2020

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in AbujaW

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that 23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccinations globally in 2020, the highest number since 2009, and 3.7 million more than the figures recorded in 2019.

The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who disclosed in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, expressed concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing a major backsliding on childhood vaccinations globally.

According to him, about 17 million children were likely not to have received a single vaccine during the year, as most of these set of children either live in communities affected by conflict, in under-served remote places or in informal or slum settings where they face multiple deprivations, including limited access to basic health and key social services.

He said: “Even as countries clamour to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines, we have gone backwards on other vaccinations, leaving children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles, polio or meningitis.

“Multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling COVID-19, making it more urgent than ever to invest in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached.

The director-general said it was worrisome even as countries clamour to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines, they have gone backwards on other vaccinations, thus “leaving children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles, polio or meningitis.”

Ghebreyesus further expressed fears that multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling COVID-19, adding that it is more urgent than ever to invest in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached.

“In all regions, rising numbers of children miss vital first vaccine doses in 2020, and millions more will miss later vaccines.

“Disruptions in immunisation services were widespread in 2020, with the WHO Southeast Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions most affected. As access to health services and immunisation outreach were curtailed, the number of children not receiving even their very first vaccinations increased in all regions. As compared with 2019, 3.5 million more children missed their first dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTP-1) while 3 million more children missed their first measles dose,” he lamented