By Bunmi Yekini
As World Immunisation Week (April 24–30) unfolds, three of the world’s leading health organisations, WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, are raising alarm over a troubling resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases and looming setbacks to decades of public health progress.
In a joint statement released this week, the agencies warned that rising outbreaks of diseases such as measles, meningitis, and yellow fever threaten global health gains over the past 50 years. Declining immunisation coverage, misinformation, humanitarian crises, and significant funding shortfalls exacerbate the situation.
“Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades,” said WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “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.”
According to the latest figures, measles cases soared to an estimated 10.3 million in 2023 – a 20% increase from 2022 – with outbreaks reported in 138 countries. Sixty-one countries experienced large or disruptive outbreaks, the highest in any 12 months since 2019. In Africa, meningitis cases surged, with over 5,500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Yellow fever is also reemerging in both Africa and the Americas.
“The global funding crisis is severely limiting our ability to vaccinate over 15 million vulnerable children in fragile and conflict-affected countries against measles,” warned UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We cannot afford to lose ground in the fight against preventable diseases.”
A recent WHO survey of 108 country offices, primarily in low- and middle-income nations, found nearly half are experiencing disruptions in vaccination campaigns and supplies due to reduced donor support. More than half reported challenges in disease surveillance.
The number of children missing routine vaccines is also rising. In 2023 alone, an estimated 14.5 million children missed all their routine vaccinations, with over half living in areas plagued by conflict or instability.
Despite the setbacks, there have been some notable advances. The rollout of malaria and HPV vaccines across Africa, the elimination of meningitis A in Africa’s meningitis belt, and increasing coverage of pneumococcal vaccines in high-burden countries point to continued potential if immunisation programs receive sustained backing.
“Increasing outbreaks of highly infectious diseases are a concern for the whole world,” said Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “The good news is we can fight back… These vital activities, however, will be at risk if Gavi is not fully funded for the next five years.”
Gavi is set to host a high-level pledging summit on June 25, 2025, aiming to raise US$9 billion to support its strategic plan to protect 500 million children and save at least 8 million lives between 2026 and 2030.
The agencies are urging governments, donors, and communities to reinforce their commitment to immunisation and the Immunisation Agenda 2030. As Dr. Ghebreyesus concluded, “Outbreaks are increasing around the world, putting lives at risk. Now is the time to act, not pull back.