As per the latest WHO and UNICEF immunisation data, globally one out of 10 infants, which means 12.9 million infants did not receive any vaccination in 2016, thus leaving them vulnerable to fatal diseases like diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis (DTP) as they missed the first dose of these vaccines.
Additionally, an estimated 6.6 million infants who did receive their first dose of DTP-containing vaccine did not complete the full, three dose DTP immunisation series (DTP3) in 2016. Since 2010, the percentage of children who received their full course of routine immunisationhas stalled at 86% (116.5 million infants), with no significant changes in any countries or regions during the past year. This falls short of the global immunisation coverage target of 90 per cent, said the WHO in its statement here.
"Most of the children that remain un-immunised are the same ones missed by health systems," said Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele, Director of Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO.
"These children most likely have also not received any of the other basic health services. If we are to raise the bar on global immunisation coverage, health services must reach he unreached. Every contact with the health system must be seen as an opportunity to immunise."
Immunisation currently prevents between 2-3 million deaths every year, from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and measles. It is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions.
According to the data, 130 of the 194 WHO Member States have achieved and sustained at least 90 per cent coverage for DTP3 at the national level - one of the targets set out in the Global Vaccine Action Plan. However, an estimated 10 million additional infants need to be vaccinated in 64 countries, if all countries are to achieve at least 90 per cent coverage.
Globally, 85 per cent of children have been vaccinated with the first dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services, and 64 per cent with a second dose. These findings were reinforced by a recent UNICEF study, which emphasized the cost effectiveness of investing in the poorest, most marginalized communities.
"Immunization is one of the most pro-equity interventions around," said Dr Robin Nandy, Chief of Immunisations at UNICEF. For the first time, WHO and UNICEF have collected disaggregated data on immunisation coverage at the subnational level.