Global childhood vaccination coverage improved slightly in 2025, but millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, according to the latest immunization estimates from the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
The report shows that 90 per cent of infants received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, while 85 per cent completed the full three-dose series. Both figures increased by one percentage point compared with 2024, although global coverage remains below levels recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around 13.5 million children received no vaccines during their first year of life in 2025. This represents a decline of nearly 750,000 zero-dose children from the previous year, but conflict, displacement, poverty and weak health systems continue to prevent millions from accessing essential immunization services.
Measles remains a major concern. Only 84 per cent of children received their first measles vaccine dose, while 77 per cent received the second. These figures remain well below the 95 per cent coverage required to prevent outbreaks. As a result, 57 countries reported major or disruptive measles outbreaks during 2025.
More than half of all zero-dose children live in fragile or conflict-affected countries. Syria experienced a sharp decline in vaccination coverage, while Sudan recorded one of the largest improvements, showing that immunization programmes can recover when healthcare access expands.
WHO also warned that vaccination rates are declining in some middle- and high-income countries because of vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, weakening political commitment and structural challenges.
Cuts to international health financing could further threaten immunization progress. WHO and UNICEF are urging governments and global partners to increase funding, strengthen disease surveillance, rebuild public trust and ensure that every child can access lifesaving vaccines.
