The first annual progress report on the Strategic framework for the implementation of Immunization Agenda 2030 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region shows both progress and pressing challenges in vaccine equity and disease prevention.
Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) envisions a world where everyone, everywhere, at every age, fully benefits from vaccines to improve health and well-being. It aims to maintain hard-won gains in immunization, recover from the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, and achieve even more – by leaving no one behind, in any situation or at any stage of life. The Strategic framework guides countries in the Region towards stronger immunization systems, broader vaccine coverage and greater equity in access, especially in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas.
The following are among the findings of the progress report.
Poliovirus has been eliminated in 20 of the Region’s 22 countries and territories, unchanged since 2019. Egypt joined Bahrain, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Oman in measles and rubella elimination. However, the Region experienced increased outbreaks of cholera, measles and vaccine-derived poliovirus between 2019 and 2024.
While 41 new vaccines have been introduced across the Region since 2019, including COVID-19 vaccines in all countries, the number of zero-dose children rose from 2 million in 2019 to 2.8 million in 2024. Routine coverage of DTP1 declined from 89% in 2019 to 85% in 2024.
Diphtheria, tetanus toxoid and pertussis containing vaccine third dose (DTP3) coverage dropped from 84% in 2019 to 79% in 2024. Measles-containing vaccine second dose (MCV2) coverage remained at 75% and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine third dose (PCV3) coverage dropped from 56% to 53%. HPV vaccine coverage increased to 1% in 2024 from 0% in 2019.
The report tracks progress across the 7 strategic priorities (SPs) of IA2030.
Under SP1 (Immunization Programmes for Primary Health Care/UHC), all 22 countries now have national immunization technical advisory groups, with 19 countries (86%) meeting functionality criteria, and 17 countries (77%) have a valid national immunization strategy.
Under SP2 (Commitment and Demand), the number of countries with supportive immunization laws increased to 17 (77%), though fewer countries are implementing behavioural or social strategies, down to 10 (45%).
