Childhood immunization in the Americas has shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2024, but significant gaps remain. According to new data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, over 1.4 million children in the Americas did not receive a single dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, marking an increase in so-called “zero-dose” children.

These findings are part of the 2024 WHO and UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), which show that while global childhood vaccination coverage has largely stabilized, nearly 20 million children worldwide missed at least one DTP vaccine dose, including 14.3 million zero-dose children. In the Americas, the number of zero-dose children rose by 186,000 compared to the previous year, reaching 1,465,000.

“The Americas has shown a firm commitment to protecting its child population, but the gaps in vaccination coverage remind us that more must be done,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional office of WHO for the Americas. “Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to prevent diseases and save lives. We cannot allow any child to be left unprotected.”