India reduced its number of “zero-dose” children, those who didn’t receive even a single vaccine, by 43% in a one year, according to a new global report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.
In 2023, India had about 16 lakh such children. That number dropped to 9 lakh in 2024, marking a reduction of nearly 700,000 unprotected children.
This improvement is a part of a larger positive trend in South Asia, where vaccination rates have reached record highs. In 2024, 92% of infants in the region received their third dose of the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough — a 2% increase from 2023 and higher than even pre-Covid levels.
UNICEF’s South Asia Regional Director, Sanjay Wijesekera, called it a proud moment and credited health workers and better planning for the success. However, he also stressed that efforts must continue to reach children in remote and underserved areas.
The report also highlighted that measles vaccination has improved in the region. About 93% of infants received the first dose, and 88% got the second, helping to reduce measles cases by 39% in 2024. But experts say 95% coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks of this highly contagious disease.
Globally, more than 14 million children still missed all vaccines last year, about the same as in 2023, and nearly 6 million more got only some doses, leaving them only partially protected. India is one of nine countries that account for over half of these unvaccinated children, alongside Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, and others.
The report warns that access to vaccines remains unequal, especially in areas facing conflict or humanitarian crises. It also raises concerns about misinformation and cuts in international aid, which may reverse the gains made so far. WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that false claims about vaccine safety and reduced funding could undo decades of hard work.
“The latest estimates highlight a really concerning trajectory,” Dr. Kate O’Brien, director of WHO’s Department of Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals, said in a news briefing.
“The global vision is for everyone everywhere to benefit from lifesaving vaccines,” she said. “But we’ve hit this very stubborn glass ceiling, and breaking through that glass to protect more children against vaccine-preventable diseases is becoming more difficult.”
Encouragingly, India and Pakistan are expected to begin their HPV vaccination campaigns later this year, aiming to protect girls from cervical cancer. Other countries like Bangladesh have already vaccinated over 7 million girls.
While the progress is promising, experts say the mission is not over. More than 2.9 million children in South Asia are still un- or under-vaccinated. Continued effort, awareness, and support are crucial to ensure that every child is protected from preventable diseases.
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