According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in 2021, 25 million children did not receive vital vaccines. The report with this information was published on the official website.
“At present, the largest decrease in children’s vaccination has been observed in about 30 years,” the organization said.
25 million children did not receive vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. “This is 2 million more than in 2020, and 6 million more than in 2019, which emphasizes the growing number of children at risk of destructive but preventive diseases,” the researchers said. Most of these children live in countries with a low and average living standards.
Also, many children have not received a vaccine against measles and virus of human papilloma.
The decrease in vaccination coverage is caused by several factors, including an increase in the number of children living in conflict and other unstable conditions, an increase in disinformation and problems associated with Covid-19.
“This is an alarming signal for children’s health. We are witnesses of the largest sustainable reduction in children’s immunization over the last generation. The consequences will be measured by lives,” said UNICEF Executive Director Katherine Russell.
The general director of Ned Tedros Adan Goebreesus agreed with her. “Planning and struggle with Covid-19 should go hand in hand with vaccination from deadly diseases, such as measles, pneumonia and diarrhea. This is not a question or-or, one can do both,” he said.