Vaccine Gaps: Why Millions of Kids Are Still Missing Shots

Globally, over 14 million children have never received any vaccines, a troubling trend that's not improving fast enough. Experts point to conflicts, lack of access, and misinformation as major roadblocks. While some progress has been made, the numbers remain alarmingly high. In 2024, fewer children were unvaccinated compared to 2023, but millions still lack protection. Many more have only partial coverage, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases. Conflict zones are the worst hit, with children there three times more likely to miss out on vaccines. Nine countries, including Nigeria, India, and Afghanistan, account for more than half of all unvaccinated children. Meanwhile, in wealthier nations, vaccine hesitancy is causing outbreaks of measles and polio. Misinformation plays a big role here, eroding trust in vaccines and health systems. Access remains the biggest issue worldwide. Many children live in dangerous areas where health workers can't reach them. Funding cuts and shrinking health budgets also threaten progress. Experts warn that without urgent action, decades of progress could be undone. There's some good news, though. HPV vaccine coverage is improving, especially among girls. But overall, childhood vaccination efforts are stuck in a rut. Experts urge global health leaders to prioritize and fund these programs.