Immunization in the Americas shows progress, but over 1.4 million children missed routine vaccines in 2024 – PAHO/WHO
Paho urges countries to intensify efforts to reach children not already vaccinated the close gaps in access to vaccines
Washington, DC, July 15, 2025 (PAHO) – Child immunization in the Americas has shown encouraging recovery signs in 2024, but significant gaps remain. According to the new data published today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, more than 1.4 million children in the Americas did not receive a unique dose of the vaccine contained in diphtheria, tetanus and people’s cough (DTP), marking an increase in the so -called «zero dose» children.
These findings are part of the WHO and UNICEF estimates of the 2024 WHO of the National Immunization Coverage (Wuenic), which show that although the global children’s vaccination coverage has stabilized to a large extent, almost 20 million children in the world lost at least one dose of DTP vaccines, including 14.3 million children with zero doses. In the Americas, the number of children in zero doses increased by 186,000 compared to the previous year, reaching 1,465,000.
«The Americas have demonstrated a firm commitment to protect their children’s population, but the gaps in vaccination coverage remind us that more,» said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the WHO regional office for the Americas. «Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to prevent diseases and save lives. We cannot allow any child to be without protection.»
Regional progress: HPV, MMR and hepatitis B See profits
Immunization coverage in the Americas improved for several key antigens:
- MMR (measles, paper, rubella): The coverage of the first dose increased from 86% to 88%, and the second dose of 75% to 77%.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV3): It increased from 76% to 79%.
- Hepatitis B at birth: It increased from 64% to 68%, a key step towards the elimination of hepatitis B.
For HPV vaccine, Americas have the highest coverage worldwide, with 76% of girls under 15 who receive at least one dose. However, more effort is needed to achieve the objective of at least 90%.
Persistent challenges in DTP coverage and abandonment rates
Despite these profits, DTP1 coverage in the Americas decreased slightly 90% by 2023 to 89% in 2024, reverting a positive trend and contributing to the increase of children in zero doses. DTP3 coverage remained stable at 86%, but 9 from 35 countries and territories reported coverage below 80%, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. In addition, three countries reported abandonment rates greater than 10% between the first and third dose of DTP.
These gaps reflect the barriers in progress in equitable access to immunization and retention, especially in marginalized and unattended communities.
Strengthen immunization systems throughout the region
Paho is working closely with countries to strengthen national immunization programs through maturity evaluations of the Immunization Expanded Program (EPI), completed for 12 countries in the last two and a half years and already in progress in Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Bolivia. The organization is also supporting countries to attack children who lost vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, with expected coverage increases from 1 to 4% in affected cohorts.
The priority actions recommended by PAHO include:
- Identify and reach children with zero doses with customary strategies
- Strengthen monitoring systems to reduce abandonment rates
- Guarantee adequate vaccine supply and accessibility
- Train health workers and the communities involved to counteract the vaccine vaccine
- Embed immunization in a strong primary health care to reduce lost opportunities
«Member States must remain committed to strengthening immunization strategies through joint efforts so that the region can claim their historical leadership in vaccination and protect the health of present and future generations,» said Dr. Barbosa.
Global context and call to action
The findings in the Americas reflect the global trends described in the WHO-UNICEF report. While 85% of children globally completed the complete DTP3 series in 2024, progress has stagnated and global gains remain fragile amid conflicts, erroneous information and tension in health systems.
Global data also underline the need for urgent action, particularly in regions with zero dose rates to the increase. Who and UNICEF have asked:
- Increased national investment in immunization
- Close the financing gap for the next strategic cycle of Gavi (2026–2030)
- Reach children in fragile environments and affected by conflicts
- Combat erroneous information and strengthening data systems
Editors notes
WHO and UNICEF are working with Gavi, the Vaccinas Alliance and other partners to deliver the 2030 Global Immunization Agenda (IA2030), a strategy for all relevant global countries and partners to achieve objectives established in the prevention of diseases through immunization and delivery of vaccines to all, everywhere, at each age.
About the data
According to the data informed by the country, the Estimates of the WHO and UNICEF of the National Immunization Coverage (Wuenic) provide the largest and integral data set of the world on immunization trends for vaccines against the 14 diseases granted through regular health systems, normally in clinics, community centers, scope services or visits to health workers. By 2024, data from 189 countries were provided.
Golf course
– Access the WHO data set: Global Board, Field profilesand additional resources
– Access the UNICEF data set: General description page, Complete data sets, Data display, Regional data display, Field profiles
