Global immunization efforts are teetering on the edge as vaccine-preventable diseases resurge and health systems face unprecedented pressure.
Marking World Immunization Week slated to run between 24 April to 30 April, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi—the Vaccine Alliance—issued a stark warning: misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises, and significant funding cuts are endangering decades of progress and leaving millions vulnerable.
Outbreaks of diseases like measles, meningitis, and yellow fever are rising dramatically, says WHO document shared on Thursday to journalists.
Once-controlled illnesses, including diphtheria, are threatening to re-emerge, further straining health systems already battered by post-pandemic recovery challenges.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General underscored the urgency, saying, “Funding cuts to global health have put these hard-won gains in jeopardy. Countries with limited resources must invest in the highest-impact interventions – and that includes vaccines.”
Measles has made a dangerous comeback, with cases soaring to an estimated 10.3 million in 2023—a 20% rise from the previous year. The trend continued into 2024 and 2025, with 138 countries reporting cases and 61 facing disruptive outbreaks, marking the highest 12-month count since 2019.
In Africa, meningitis cases surged in early 2025, with over 5,500 suspected infections and nearly 300 deaths reported in just the first quarter.
Yellow fever, once on a declining path, has reappeared in 12 African nations with 124 confirmed cases this year. Similarly, outbreaks have emerged in the Americas, totaling 131 cases across four countries.
A recent WHO survey of 108 country offices revealed that nearly half are experiencing moderate to severe disruptions in vaccination campaigns, routine immunization, and supply access due to declining donor funding.
Disease surveillance systems are also compromised, heightening the risk of uncontrolled outbreaks.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned, “The global funding crisis is severely limiting our ability to vaccinate over 15 million vulnerable children in fragile and conflict-affected countries. We cannot afford to lose ground in the fight against preventable diseases.”
Despite these setbacks, progress continues in some areas. The ‘Big Catch-Up’ initiative, launched in 2023, aims to reach children who missed vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Routine immunization has expanded, and HPV vaccine coverage in Africa doubled from 21% to 40% between 2020 and 2023.
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New vaccines, including those for malaria and pneumococcal disease, are being introduced across high-burden countries.
Vaccination campaigns have eradicated meningitis A in parts of Africa, and a new multivalent vaccine is offering broader protection. However, the resurgence of yellow fever and other diseases signals the critical need for sustained immunization efforts.
Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar emphasized, “Increasing outbreaks of highly infectious diseases are a concern for the whole world. Gavi’s next strategic period has a clear plan to bolster our defences by expanding investments in global vaccine stockpiles and rolling out targeted preventive vaccination in countries most impacted by meningitis, yellow fever and measles. “
To support this mission, Gavi will host a high-level pledging summit on 25 June 2025, aiming to raise at least US$ 9 billion. The funds are expected to protect 500 million children and save at least 8 million lives between 2026 and 2030.
WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi call on governments, donors, and the public to recommit to immunization as a critical public health tool. With a return on investment of $54 for every dollar spent, vaccines are not only lifesaving but also a cornerstone for future global health security.
