- PAHO urges countries to intensify efforts to reach unvaccinated children and close gaps in access to vaccines
WASHINGTON, USA – Childhood immunization in the Americas has shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2024, but significant gaps remain. According to new data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, over 1.4 million children in the Americas did not receive a single dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, marking an increase in so-called “zero-dose” children.
These findings are part of the 2024 WHO and UNICEF Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC), which show that while global childhood vaccination coverage has largely stabilised, nearly 20 million children worldwide missed at least one DTP vaccine dose, including 14.3 million zero-dose children. In the Americas, the number of zero-dose children rose by 186,000 compared to the previous year, reaching 1,465,000.
“The Americas has shown a firm commitment to protecting its child population, but the gaps in vaccination coverage remind us that more must be done,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional office of WHO for the Americas. “Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to prevent diseases and save lives. We cannot allow any child to be left unprotected.”
Regional progress: MMR, PCV3 and Hepatitis B see gains
Immunization coverage in the Americas improved for several key antigens:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Coverage of the first dose increased from 86 to 88 percent, and the second dose from 75 to 77 percent.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV3): Rose from 76 to 79 percent.
- Hepatitis B at birth: Increased from 64 to 68 percent, a key step toward hepatitis B elimination.
For the HPV vaccine, the Americas has the highest coverage globally, with 76% of girls under 15 years of age receiving at least one dose. However, more effort is needed to reach the target of at least 90 percent.
Persistent challenges in DTP coverage and dropout rates
Despite these gains, DTP1 coverage in the Americas declined slightly from 90 percent in 2023 to 89 percent in 2024, reversing a positive trend and contributing to the increase in zero-dose children. DTP3 coverage remained steady at 86 percent, but 9 of 35 countries and territories reported coverage below 80 percent, raising the risk of disease outbreaks. Additionally, three countries reported dropout rates above 10 percent between the first and third DTP doses.
These gaps reflect ongoing barriers in equitable access to immunization, and retention, especially in marginalized and underserved communities.
Strengthening immunization systems across the region
PAHO is working closely with countries to strengthen national immunization programs through Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Maturity Assessments, completed for 12 countries in the last two-and-a-half years and already underway in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Bolivia.
The Organization is also supporting countries to target children who missed vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, with expected coverage increases of 1–4 percent in affected cohorts.
Priority actions recommended by PAHO include:
- Identifying and reaching zero-dose children with locally tailored strategies;
- Strengthening follow-up systems to reduce dropout rates;
- Ensuring adequate vaccine supply and accessibility;
- Training health workers and engaging communities to counter vaccine hesitancy;
- Embedding immunization in strong primary health care to reduce missed opportunities.
“Member States must remain committed to strengthening immunization strategies through joint efforts so that the region can reclaim its historic leadership in vaccination and protect the health of present and future generations,” emphasized Dr Barbosa.
Global context and call to action
The findings in the Americas reflect global trends outlined in the WHO-UNICEF report. While 85 percent of children globally completed the full DTP3 series in 2024, progress has plateaued, and global gains remain fragile amid conflict, misinformation, and strain on health systems.
The global data also underscores the need for urgent action, particularly in regions with rising zero-dose rates. WHO and UNICEF have called for:
- Increased domestic investment in immunization;
- Closing the funding gap for Gavi’s next strategic cycle (2026–2030);
- Reaching children in fragile, conflict-affected settings;
- Combating misinformation and strengthening data systems.
The post Immunization in the Americas shows progress, but over 1.4 million children missed routine vaccines in 2024 appeared first on Caribbean News Global.
