The United Nations has warned over a concerning rise in vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis, diphtheria, and yellow fever, particularly in Africa.
The warning comes during World Immunization Week (April 24–30) as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, call for renewed global investment in immunization programs.
They attribute the resurgence to declining health funding and the spread of vaccine misinformation. WHO reports a steep increase in meningitis cases in Africa, with over 5,500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths recorded across 22 countries in the first quarter of 2024 alone.
Yellow fever is also making a comeback after years of decline, with 124 confirmed cases in 12 countries last year.
The global picture is equally troubling, with measles cases surging to an estimated 10.3 million in 2023, a 20% rise from the previous year.
A record number of outbreaks were reported across 61 countries—the highest in any 12-month period since 2019. The situation is particularly critical in Africa, where humanitarian crises, political instability, and reliance on external aid hamper routine immunization efforts.
A WHO survey revealed that nearly half of developing nations are experiencing moderate or severe disruptions in vaccination campaigns. In 2023, 14.5 million children missed routine vaccinations, with over half residing in conflict-affected or unstable regions, further underscoring the urgent need for sustained immunization funding.
