The newly released WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) for 2024 offer a snapshot of global progress in childhood vaccination but also a reminder of the work still ahead to end polio for good.

Global coverage for the third dose of polio vaccine (POL3) in 2024 is reported at 84%, consistent with 2023 levels, but still below pre-pandemic coverage of 86% in both 2018 and 2019. This lingering gap poses a challenge for eradication efforts, which rely on consistently high routine immunization to build and sustain population immunity and prevent outbreaks.

The WUENIC data show encouraging signs of recovery in many countries, especially those implementing catch-up campaigns. However, gaps persist ─ particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where zero-dose prevalence remains high and routine services are hardest to sustain.