Why WHO Urges Urgent Action on SEA Child Vaccination
The World Health Organisation recently released the 2025 WUENIC report. Consequently, this report highlights impressive milestones in childhood immunisation coverage across the South-East Asia Region. Specifically, the region achieved a remarkable 94% coverage rate for the DTP3 vaccine. However, deep equity gaps still remain despite these successes.
Progress in Childhood Immunisation Coverage
Notably, South-East Asia outperformed all other WHO regions in routine vaccinations. For instance, the regional measles first-dose coverage increased to 96%. Additionally, the second-dose coverage reached 93% in 2025. These figures stand well above global averages. Nonetheless, health officials warn against complacency, highlighting the need for specialized paediatric care to sustain these gains.
The Critical Gaps in Vaccine Access
Despite high regional success, nearly 1.2 million children did not receive their first DTP dose in 2025. Furthermore, another 600,000 children remained only partially vaccinated. As a result, these underserved children face high risks of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. These zero-dose and partially immunised populations reside primarily in remote, conflict-affected, or marginalized communities. Therefore, reaching these communities is essential to prevent severe outbreaks. For example, recent measles outbreaks in Bangladesh show how quickly infections can spread when immunity gaps exist.
Strategies for a Life-Course Approach
To address these gaps, the WHO advocates for a life-course approach to immunisation. Consequently, countries are expanding vaccine access beyond infancy to adolescents, adults, and older people. Specifically, healthcare providers must focus on maintaining high tetanus-diphtheria vaccination coverage among pregnant women. In addition, expanding human papillomavirus vaccination will help prevent cervical cancer across the region. Meanwhile, local teams should use tailored strategies—often discussed in adolescent health programs—to find and protect underserved populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the current DTP3 vaccination coverage in the WHO South-East Asia Region?
In 2025, the DTP3 childhood immunisation coverage stood at 94% in the South-East Asia Region.
Q2: How many children missed their first vaccine dose in this region in 2025?
Despite high overall coverage, nearly 1.2 million children in the region missed their first routine vaccine dose in 2025.
Q3: Why is a life-course approach to immunisation important?
A life-course approach extends vaccine protection beyond childhood to adolescents, adults, and older people. This strategy helps protect pregnant women and reduces the burden of diseases like cervical cancer. Medical professionals interested in these public health outcomes can further their expertise through an International Post Graduate Program In Pediatrics.
References
- WHO urges renewed push to reach unvaccinated children despite high immunisationcoverage in South-East Asia – ETHealthworld
- WHO calls for renewed efforts to reach every child with life-saving vaccines – World Health Organization
- Global childhood immunization coverage inches forward despite conflict and hesitancy – UNICEF, WHO
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