South Asia Achieves Immunization Milestone

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF announced on July 15, 2025, that South Asia reached a historic high in childhood immunization coverage for 2024, with marked progress in India and Nepal. Significant details from the report include:

• Immunization Coverage Statistics:

  • India decreased the number of zero-dose children (those not receiving any vaccine) from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024, representing a 43% reduction.
  • Nepal achieved a 52% reduction in zero-dose children, decreasing from 23,000 to 11,000.
  • Pakistan reported the highest-ever coverage for DTP3 vaccines (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) at 87%.
  • Conversely, Afghanistan experienced a decline in immunization coverage, recording the lowest rates in the region with a one percentage point drop from the previous year.

• General Trends:

  • In 2024, 92% of infants in South Asia received the third DTP vaccine dose, an increase of two percentage points from 2023.
  • The first-dose DTP coverage rose from 93% to 95%, exceeding pre-COVID coverage levels.
  • The region saw a 27% decline in total zero-dose children from 2.5 million in 2023 to 1.8 million in 2024.

• Measles Vaccination Rates:

  • Coverage increased for measles vaccines with 93% of infants receiving the first dose and 88% receiving the second dose, up from 90% and 87% respectively.
  • Measles cases fell by 39%, from over 90,000 in 2023 to approximately 55,000 in 2024, although coverage remains below the 95% threshold necessary to prevent outbreaks.

• HPV Vaccination Progress:

  • HPV vaccination coverage for adolescent girls rose from 2% in 2023 to 9% in 2024.
  • Bangladesh vaccinated over 7.1 million girls since its HPV program started in 2023.
  • Bhutan's HPV coverage increased from 91% to 94%, Maldives from 60% to 75%, and Sri Lanka from 31% to 48%.
  • Nepal initiated its HPV vaccination campaign in February 2025, reaching over 1.4 million girls, while India and Pakistan plan to launch their programs later in the year.

• Underlying Factors for Success:

  • The increase in immunization rates can be attributed to sustained government efforts, improved investments, supportive policies, and the commitment of frontline health workers, many of whom are women.
  • Adoption of digital tools and improved data systems alongside targeted outreach campaigns have significantly contributed to these gains.

• Continued Challenges:

  • Despite progress, over 2.9 million children in South Asia remain unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.
  • UNICEF and WHO urged governments in the region to maintain political commitment to health initiatives, boost domestic financing for immunization, expand HPV vaccination coverage, and intensify outreach to reach zero-dose and under-vaccinated children.

• Call to Action:

  • Enhanced investment in frontline health workers and improvements in surveillance systems for vaccine-preventable diseases were emphasized as crucial needs for ongoing efforts in immunization in the region.

This comprehensive progress showcases South Asia’s commitment towards reducing vaccine-preventable diseases, where a concerted effort from governments, health organizations, and communities remains essential for future challenges in public health.

Key Points:

• South Asia achieves record childhood immunization coverage in 2024.
• India reduces zero-dose children by 43%; Nepal sees 52% reduction.
• Pakistan reaches highest DTP3 coverage at 87%; Afghanistan sees decline.
• 93% of infants receive measles first dose; cases drop 39%.
• HPV vaccination for adolescent girls up from 2% to 9%.
• Over 2.9 million remain un- or under-vaccinated.
• Continued political commitment and investment in health personnel emphasized.