Childhood vaccination coverage stagnates in South Asia

NEW DELHI/ KATHMANDU, 15 July 2023 – Childhood vaccination levels have stagnated in South Asia, according to new data published today by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

The coverage of the third dose of the Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus containing vaccine (DTP3) in 2023 fell by 1 per cent over 2022.  As a result, 3.6 million children born in 2023 are now vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. The DTP3 vaccination is considered a global marker for childhood vaccination services.

“The stagnating progress in South Asia is concerning; millions of children are not getting the most basic vaccines that can save their lives. This data should unite governments and health professionals around a shared goal to get all children in their countries vaccinated,” said UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, Sanjay Wijesekara.” I have met many inspiring vaccinators and community health workers across South Asia, many of whom are women, who work tirelessly to reach every unvaccinated child. We must invest in these health workers and better recognise their contributions so millions more children’s lives can be saved.”

At 90 per cent, the levels still exceed the global coverage of 84 per cent and are higher than the pre-COVID levels in South Asia. In 2023, South Asia coverage ranked 2nd highest out of 7 UNICEF regions.  

South Asia has accumulated over 17 million children who were not adequately vaccinated over four years of the COVID pandemic from 2019 to 2022. They are now also vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases like measles and polio. Millions more haven’t received any vaccines at all. 

In addition, the coverage of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, which protects young girls against cervical cancer, has only marginally increased from 1 per cent in 2022 to 2 per cent in 2023. The slight increase in regional coverage is largely due to the introduction of HPV vaccination in Bangladesh in 2023. In South Asia, 11 women and girls die per hour due to cervical cancer. To help protect millions of girls from this preventable cancer, UNICEF is working with governments and partners to roll-out the HPV vaccine where it hasn’t yet been introduced.

Vaccination against measles - one of the most contagious diseases – marginally dropped to below 2019 levels at 90 per cent coverage. It is still below the target of 95 per cent, which is needed to prevent outbreaks. According to WHO surveillance data, in 2023 alone, there were over 87,000 measles cases in South Asia, a 60 percent increase compared to 2022.  

UNICEF supports countries in South Asia to develop and implement strategies to help children to catch up on their vaccinations.