While immunization is one of the most successful public health interventions, coverage has plateaued over the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic, associated disruptions, and COVID-19 vaccination efforts strained health systems in 2020 and 2021, resulting in setbacks. In 2024, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus toxoid and pertussis-containing vaccine) immunization coverage is now close to be back to 2019 levels.

DTP3 (third dose of DTP containing vaccine) immunization coverage among one-year-olds worldwide dropped from 86% in 2019 to 82% in 2021, and the recovered to 85% in 2024. Still 14.3 million infants did not receive an initial dose of DTP vaccine, pointing to a lack of access to immunization and other health services, and an additional 5.6 million are partially vaccinated.

Measles, because of its high transmissibility, acts as a “canary in the coalmine”, quickly exposing any immunity gaps in the population. Still 20.6 million children missed their routine first dose of measles, not yet back to 2019 levels with 19.3 million.