The annual WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage reveal that in 2025, 90% of infants globally received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, while 85% completed the recommended three-dose series. These figures represent a one percentage point increase from 2024 but remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Despite this progress, an estimated 13.5 million children received no vaccines during their first year of life in 2025. Although this number declined by nearly 750,000 from the previous year, millions of children still lack access to essential health services. Additionally, more children are starting vaccination schedules but failing to complete them, raising the risk of disease outbreaks.

“Governments and health workers have helped global vaccination rates bounce back after dropping significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. However, she noted that millions of vulnerable children remain unprotected due to conflict, displacement, and poverty.

As a consequence, 57 countries reported major or disruptive measles outbreaks last year. Notably, Syria experienced sharp declines in vaccination coverage during 2025, while Sudan recorded one of the world's largest improvements, illustrating that immunization rates can recover even in conflict settings when access to health services expands.

“Every child, whether born into wealth or poverty, peace or conflict, deserves the life-giving protection that vaccines provide,” the UN emphasized.

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