WHO and UNICEF annual estimates of national immunization coverage reveal 90 percent of infants worldwide received at least one dose against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. (DTP) last year, while 85 percent completed the recommended three-dose series..
Although both figures increased by one percentage point from 2024, global vaccination coverage remains below pre-pandemic levels.
There is a lack of life-saving vaccines
A It is estimated that in 2025, 13.5 million children did not receive any vaccines during their first year of life.. While this represents a decrease of almost 750,000 children receiving “zero doses” compared to the previous year, millions remain outside the reach of health services.
At the same time, more children are starting but not completing their vaccination programs, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
“Governments and health workers have helped global vaccination rates recover after falling significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“But millions of vulnerable children continue to be left unprotected by conflict, displacement and poverty. We must reach all children and rebuild trust where it is eroding.”
A one-year-old child receives the mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine from a health worker in the Philippines.
Measles outbreaks continue
The report highlights growing concern about measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases.
Globally, 84 percent of children received their first dose of measles vaccine in 2025 and 77 percent received their second. well below the 95 percent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
As a result, 57 countries reported significant or disruptive measles outbreaks last year.
Conflict and hesitation widen gaps
More than half of all children receiving zero doses live in fragile or conflict-affected countries, where immunization programs are often disrupted by insecurity, political instability and lack of funding.
Syria experienced sharp declines in vaccination coverage during 2025, while Sudan recorded one of the largest improvements in the world, demonstrating that immunization rates can recover even in conflict settings when access to health services is expanded.
The WHO also warned that vaccination rates are falling in some middle- and high-income countries despite vaccines being readily available, citing vaccine hesitancy, weakening political commitment and other structural challenges.
Funding concerns
WHO Director-General Tedros called vaccines one of the most effective and equitable public health interventions.
“Every child, whether born into a rich or poor environment, in peace or conflict, deserves the vital protection that vaccines provide.“, said.
The agencies also warned that recent cuts to international health funding could undermine future progress.
Fewer countries conducted national immunization surveys in 2025, limiting the ability to identify children missing vaccines and respond quickly to emerging outbreaks.
WHO and UNICEF called on governments and international partners to strengthen vaccination programs in fragile settings, combat misinformation, increase funding and invest in stronger disease surveillance systems to avoid further setbacks.
