According to recent data published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, global childhood immunisation coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 20.7 lakh additional children un- and under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, "The latest trends demonstrate that many countries continue to miss far too many children,” adding, "Closing the immunisation gap requires a global effort, with governments, partners, and local leaders investing in primary healthcare and community workers to ensure every child gets vaccinated and that overall healthcare is strengthened.”
According to the findings, India has the second-highest number of children (10.6 lakh) who weren't vaccinated in 2023, after Nigeria (20.1 lakh).
The Union Health Ministry of India dismissed the findings on the prevalence of 'zero dose children' in the country, saying that the "comparison is flawed as the base population has not been taken into consideration."
But what is zero-dose children, and why is it becoming more prevalent year by year? We spoke to an expert to understand the same.
Also Read: What Is Immunisation And Why It Is Important For Children?
Understanding The Importance Of Vaccination In Kids
Explaining the role of vaccination in children, Dr Srinivasa Murthy C L, Lead Paediatrics, Consultant – Paediatrics and Neonatology, Aster Women and Children Hospital, Whitefield, Bengaluru, said, "Vaccines serve to incite body defences that identify and eradicate pathogens so as to prevent infections. Childhood vaccines avert children from severe diseases, including measles, polio, and whooping cough, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. They help the body fight weakened or inactivated germs for this cause. Consequently, your child’s system may be aware of it in case they are ever exposed to it later on in life."
"The immune systems of kids are not yet mature enough and therefore can get deadly infections faster, which is why vaccinating them is important," he told the OnlyMyHealth team.
Who Are Zero-Dose Children?
Zero-dose children are those kids who have never gotten any vaccines.
The WHO defines the term as "those that lack access to or are never reached by routine immunisation services."
According to a WHO report, there were 1.45 crore children who missed out on vaccination in 2023. The global health agency said that the coverage of a third dose of vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP3) was 84%, whereas the proportion of children receiving a first dose of the measles vaccine had dropped from 86% in 2019 to 83% in 2023.
Also Read: Children Vaccination: Myths And Facts Parents Should Know
Why Children Miss Out On Vaccinations
As per Dr Murthy, zero-dose children happen due to several reasons.
“These factors consist of isolation geographically, social economic disparities, no access to good health care services, and myths about vaccination, which have kept these people from being immunised. Most times, misinformation about vaccines might lead to hesitancy or cultural beliefs about them,” he said.
The latest WHO/UNICEF data highlight the need to accelerate efforts to meet the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) targets of 90% coverage and no more than 60.5 lakh ‘zero-dose’ children globally by 2030.
As per a WHO release, "The IA2030 Partnership Council calls for increased investment in innovation and ongoing collaboration. The council also recommends partners step up their support for country leadership to improve routine immunisation as part of their integrated primary health care programmes, backed by robust political support, community leadership, and sustainable funding."