UNICEF Says COVID Disruptions Left 67 Million Children Without Vaccines

Disruptions caused by COVID-19 may have left some 67 million children without vaccines between 2019 and 2021 worldwide, the United Nations has said.

"More than a decade of hard-earned gains in routine childhood immunization have been erode,” UNICEF said.

Of the 67 million children whose vaccinations were "severely disrupted," 48 million missed out on routine vaccines entirely, UNICEF said Wednesday, flagging concerns about potential polio and measles outbreaks.

Vaccine coverage among children declined in 112 countries and the percentage of children vaccinated worldwide slipped five points to 81% – a low not seen since 2008. Africa and South Asia were particularly hard hit.

"Worryingly, the backsliding during the pandemic came at the end of a decade when, in broad terms, growth in childhood immunization had stagnated," It added.

Vaccines save 4.4 million lives each year, a number the United Nations figures could jump to 5.8 million by 2030 if its ambitious targets to leave "no one behind" are met.

UNICEF called on governments "to double-down on their commitment to increase financing for immunization" with special attention on accelerating "catch-up" vaccination efforts for those who missed their shots.