New WHO-UNICEF data shows 90% of infants received at least one DTP vaccine dose in 2025, though progress remains stalled at pre-pandemic levels.
Key facts
- •In 2025, 110 million infants completed the full three-dose DTP vaccine series.
- •There were 13.5 million 'zero-dose' children globally in 2025, nearly 750,000 fewer than the previous year.
- •Sudan recorded the largest single-country gain in DTP1 coverage, increasing by 35 percentage points.
- •Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced a 23-point drop in MCV1 coverage over the past year.
- •Only 18 national immunization surveys were submitted in 2025, down from an average of 33 per year between 2015 and 2019.
Global childhood immunization coverage rose by one percentage point in 2025, with 90% of infants receiving at least one dose of the DTP vaccine. Despite this progress, 13.5 million children remained 'zero-dose,' receiving no vaccinations during their first year. Global coverage rates remain one point below 2019 levels, as conflict, poverty, and vaccine hesitancy continue to hinder progress.
By the numbers
Measles Outbreaks and Vaccination Gaps
Measles vaccination coverage has stalled, with 84% of children receiving the first dose and 77% receiving the second. These figures remain well below the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks, contributing to reports of large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 57 countries during 2025. Approximately 7.3 million infants received their first DTP dose but dropped out before obtaining their first measles vaccination.
Regional Variability and Challenges
Regional performance varies significantly; the Americas and South-East Asia have fully recovered to or exceeded 2019 baselines, while the Western Pacific has seen a decline. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, immunization programs face severe strain from political instability and underfunding. Conversely, some middle- and high-income nations are experiencing declining coverage due to shifting political commitment and rising vaccine hesitancy.
Data Systems Under Strain
The agencies warn that the infrastructure required to track immunization progress is weakening. Only 18 national immunization surveys were submitted in the current round, a significant decrease from 50 in 2024. This reduction in data collection complicates efforts to identify and reach children who are missing out on essential vaccinations.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by WHO News.
