UNICEF: In 2018, 20 million children around world receive no measles vaccinations

July 17, 2019  09:36

The level of vaccination against dangerous infections on the planet remains insufficient and has not increased since 2010, said the joint report of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

According to WHO, in 2018, nearly 20 million children worldwide did not receive measles, diphtheria and tetanus vaccines. Moreover, the level of immunization of the children's population with three doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, as well as one dose of measles vaccine, remains unchanged since 2010 - 86%. Meanwhile, the recommended level of vaccination is estimated at 95%. Among the reasons for the situation, the authors of the report, in particular, noted social inequality and military conflicts.

Nearly half of the total number of unvaccinated children accounts for 16 countries: Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Meanwhile, cases of non-vaccination are observed in developed countries. As a result, in 2018, almost 350 thousand cases of measles were registered worldwide, more than double the figures for 2017. Leading positions in the incidence of measles are held by Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Liberia, Somalia, Serbia, Georgia, Albania, Yemen and Romania.

Meanwhile, in 2018 over 300 thousand children did not receive their first dose of measles vaccine in the US, over 70 thousand in France, over 60 thousand in the UK, more than 38 thousand in Canada, more than 30 thousand in Italy, more than 28 thousand in Japan, almost 26 thousand in Poland, more than 23 thousand in Germany, and almost 16 thousand Chile and Australia each.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter


 
  • Video
 
 
  • Event calendar
 
 
  • Archive
 
  • Most read
 
  • Find us on Facebook
 
  • Poll
Are you aware that in 2027 medical insurance will become mandatory for all Armenian citizens?
I’m aware, and I'm in favor
I’m not aware, and I'm against
I'm aware, but I'm still undecided
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm in favor
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm against
It doesn't matter to me