India among eight countries with half of world's unvaccinated children as of 2023: Study

By Admin

25 Jun, 2025

In a concerning revelation, a global study published in The Lancet journal has identified India as one of the eight countries that accounted for over half of the world’s unvaccinated children in 2023. The study, conducted by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 Vaccine Coverage Collaborators, sheds light on the persistent disparities in global healthcare access and vaccination outreach.

The Scale of the Issue

According to the study, 15.7 million children worldwide did not receive even a single dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in their first year of life in 2023. Out of these, a staggering 1.44 million were from India alone. This places India among the eight countries that collectively harbor over 50% of the global population of zero-dose children those who have not received any routine immunizations.

A Broader Global Concern

The study provides updated global, regional, and national estimates of routine childhood vaccine coverage across 204 countries and territories from 1980 to 2023. It highlights the uneven progress in vaccination campaigns and points to systemic issues that hinder equitable healthcare delivery in many regions. Despite advancements in immunization programs, millions of children particularly in low- and middle-income countries continue to be left behind.

What It Means for India

India's inclusion in this list underscores the urgent need to strengthen its immunization infrastructure and outreach programs, especially in rural and underserved communities. While the country has made significant strides through initiatives like Mission Indradhanush and intensified immunization drives, gaps in coverage remain. These disparities are often linked to factors such as lack of awareness, poor healthcare infrastructure, socio-economic barriers, and regional conflicts.

The Way Forward

To bridge these gaps, it is crucial for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to collaborate in ensuring that vaccines reach every child, regardless of their geography or background. Increased investment in public health systems, awareness campaigns, and community mobilization efforts will be vital in achieving equitable vaccine coverage.

Conclusion

The findings from The Lancet serve as a wake-up call to the global health community. For countries like India, where millions of children remain vulnerable to preventable diseases due to lack of immunization, it is a reminder that consistent efforts and targeted strategies are necessary to close the vaccination gap and ensure a healthier future for all children.