25 Million Kids Missed Routine Immunizations Due To COVID-19 — WHO, UNICEF

About 25 million children worldwide have missed out on routine immunizations against diseases like Diptheria, tetanus and pertussis, largely because the coronavirus pandemic disrupted regular health services or triggered misinformation about vaccines.

In a new report published on Friday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF said their figures show 25 million children last year failed to get vaccinated or receive immunizations.

Catherine Russell, UNICEF's Executive Director said; “This is a red alert for child health.

“We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation."

She added that the vast majority of the children who failed to get immunized were living in developing countries, namely Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines.

Experts also added that the backsliding in vaccination coverage was disturbing since it was occurring as rates of severe malnutrition were rising. Malnourished children typically have weaker immune systems and infections like measles can often prove fatal to them.

In March 2020, WHO and partners asked countries to suspend their polio eradication efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.