25 Million Children , Missed Out on Vaccines in 2021, Data Shows.<br />According to data published by UNICEF and the WHO on July 14, worldwide vaccine coverage continued to decrease in 2021.<br />According to data published by UNICEF and the WHO on July 14, worldwide vaccine coverage continued to decrease in 2021.<br />The largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately 30 years has been recorded, WHO and UNICEF, via press release.<br />CNN reports there was a 5-point decline in the percentage of children who received vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, known as DTP3, between 2019 and 2021.<br />As a result, 25 million children missed out on one or more doses of DTP through routine immunization services in 2021 alone. , WHO and UNICEF, via press release.<br />This is 2 million more than those who missed out in 2020 and 6 million more than in 2019, highlighting the growing number of children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases, WHO and UNICEF, via press release.<br />Additionally, a quarter of HPV coverage was lost, and first-dose measles vaccines dropped to 81%.<br />While all regions experienced a decline in <br />vaccinations, the steepest drop for DTP3 <br />shots was in the East Asia and Pacific region.<br />This is a red alert for child health. We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives. , Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, via CNN.<br />COVID-19 is not an excuse. We need immunization catch-ups for the missing millions or we will inevitably witness more outbreaks, more sick children and greater pressure on already strained health systems, Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, via CNN.<br />WHO Director-General <br />Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, , "Planning and tackling COVID-19 should also go hand-in-hand with vaccinating for killer diseases like measles, pneumonia and diarrhea. It's not a question of either/or, it's possible to do both.".<br />WHO Director-General <br />Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, , "Planning and tackling COVID-19 should also go hand-in-hand with vaccinating for killer diseases like measles, pneumonia and diarrhea. It's not a question of either/or, it's possible to do both."
