123,000 children in Europe and Central Asia are missing out on lifesaving vaccines

GENEVA, 15 July 2024 – 123,000 children in Europe and Central Asia have not received any routine vaccinations, according to the latest estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) launched by WHO and UNICEF today. 

‘Zero-dose’ children, those who have not received any routine vaccine, are at greater risk of contracting deadly disease and often indicates that they and their families are missing out on other essential services.  

“These estimates show there is a concerning, ongoing breakdown in immunization coverage in our region, we are still missing too many children with life-saving vaccines,” said Fatima Cengic, UNICEF Regional Immunization Specialist, Europe and Central Asia.

“There is no reason why children should still be at risk of dying of vaccine preventable disease in Europe and Central Asia in 2024. Urgent action, including prioritised funding and investment in immunization programmes and health systems is critical,” she added.

The estimates show significant disparities in immunization coverage across Europe and Central Asia. While 86 per cent of countries (18 out of 21) achieved 90 per cent coverage of one dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP1), only half of those reached the same level of coverage for the third dose (DTP3) - a key marker for overall immunization coverage.

Romania, Ukraine and Azerbaijan account for 51 per cent (192,000), of all un- and under vaccinated children, reflecting persistent challenges in reaching the most vulnerable children.

WUENIC estimates also show a concerning situation regarding measles vaccination with coverage declining or yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels in over half of the countries in the region. Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Romania all reported coverage rates of below 80 per cent. Measles cases, because of its high transmissibility, quickly exposes immunity gaps in the population. Measles vaccination estimates, therefore, is a tracer for overall protection. 

Despite concerns, strong progress is being made across Europe and Central Asia to increase the breadth of protection (BOP) for communities from 44 per cent in 2000 to 84 per cent in 2023. This is largely due to improved introduction of new vaccines and expansion of vaccination services to previously missed populations. 

The Europe and Central Asia region is largely comprised of middle-income countries which has implications on decreased international funding and support. To increase vaccination coverage UNICEF is calling for stronger technical and financial support for immunization programmes and strengthening of health systems in countries with low coverage and pockets of under-immunized children. Meaningful community engagement efforts are critical for strengthening demand for and confidence in vaccines.

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Notes to Editors

Latest global and regional data sets are available here: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/immunization/ 

Zero-dose children are those who have not received the first dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis containing vaccine (DTP1). 

Breadth of protection (BOP) is a combination of the number of vaccines in a country's national immunization programme and the coverage achieved for each vaccine.