Urgent need to reach zero-dose children in the spotlight at UNICEF CEO Network meeting

Johannesburg, 18 June 2024: Far too many children in South Africa – around 200,000 – are so-called “zero-dose” children, meaning that they are not fully vaccinated against any childhood diseases at all.

Following on a discussion on positive parenting held at the first UNICEF CEO Network meeting for 2024 in Cape Town, members of the network gathered at Johnson and Johnson South Africa to engage on how UNICEF, partners and government can work together to urgently reduce the number of zero-dose children in the country.

Inequities in access to vaccines, the emergence of new and evolving threats to public health, and the ever-evolving circulation of mis and disinformation about the efficacy and safety of vaccines all combine to result in children missing out on lifesaving vaccines.

With support from ELMA Philanthropies, USAID, and the Governments of Germany and Japan, UNICEF South Africa works with the National, Provincial and District Health Departments to help strengthen immunization systems, improve information about and access to vaccinations.

"Focusing on zero-dose children is important, not only for them but for their family, community and the country," said Dr Sufang Guo, UNICEF South Africa's Chief of Health, as she presented on the crucial interventions needed to reach every child with life-saving vaccines.  

"If we can better reach and reduce the number of zero-dose children, we will at the same time be able to identify additional support needed for the nation’s youngest and most vulnerable in life," said UNICEF South Africa Representative, Christine Muhigana.