Vaccines act as a shield, protecting children and newborn babies from dangerous diseases and saving up to 3 million lives each year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled the largest backslide in vaccinations in three decades. This is putting millions of children worldwide at risk of preventable diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio.
We must help children catch-up on their missing vaccinations, no matter who they are or where they live. Otherwise, we’ll see more outbreaks, more sick children and greater pressure on already strained health systems.
We can prevent this. Together we must act. Please help.
Update
New data shows that COVID-19 has dangerously interrupted vaccination efforts in 43 countries.
The situation is critical:
- 18 million children did not receive a single dose of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) in 2021 alone. The East Asia and Pacific region has recorded the steepest reversal in DTP3 coverage, falling nine percentage points in just two years.
- 24.7 million children missed their first measles dose in 2021. The global coverage level for this vaccine dropped to 81 per cent in 2021, the lowest level since 2008.
- Compared to 2019, 6.7 million more children missed the third dose of polio vaccine and 3.5 million missed the first dose of the HPV vaccine — which protects girls against cervical cancer later in life.
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Help us protect the world’s most vulnerable children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccinate Children. Save Lives.
25 million children missed out on vaccines through routine immunisation in 2021. This is 6 million more than in 2019.
Decades of progress in vaccination programs are under threat
Children around the world could die from disruptions to vaccination programs caused by the pandemic. Lockdowns, restriction of movement and overwhelmed health systems have all meant that it has been harder than ever for children to receive the vaccinations they need to have the best chance at survival.
The historic backsliding in immunisation rates is happening against a backdrop of rapidly rising rates of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). A malnourished child already has weakened immunity and missing vaccinations can mean preventable childhood illnesses become lethal to them. The convergence of a hunger crisis with a growing immunisation gap threatens to worsen conditions for vulnerable children.
We need your help to continue this important work and ensure every child is protected from preventable diseases.
You can help protect children today
50 per cent
Each year, UNICEF reaches almost half of the world's children under five with life-saving vaccines.
2-3 mill
Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to date, averting an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year.
"This is a red alert for child health. We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunisation in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives."
As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF has unique and long-standing expertise in vaccine procurement and logistics to help children in need.
We will find a way to get vaccines to children around the world, but we can't do it without the support of people like you.
Vaccinate Children. Save Lives.
25 million children missed out on vaccines through routine immunisation in 2021. This is 6 million more than in 2019.
How will my donation help children?
Your generous donation can save lives;
- $71 could provide 100 children with vaccinations against measles, one of the biggest killers of children under five.
- $90 could help to provide 300 doses of polio vaccines, to help protect children from this deadly but preventable disease.
- $180 could protect three health workers with personal protective equipment including gloves, coveralls, masks and boots.
- 82¢went directly to program expenditure and community education, including long-term development and emergency response work.
- 12¢covers the essential costs of raising public awareness and fundraising to generate more support for UNICEF’s work.
- 6¢was spent on UNICEF Australia’s accountability and administration.
How do we use each dollar donated?
Vaccinate Children. Save Lives.
25 million children missed out on vaccines through routine immunisation in 2021. This is 6 million more than in 2019.