South Asia Achieves Highest-Ever Child Immunisation Coverage in 2024
As per new data from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), South Asia has achieved its highest overall immunisation coverage for children ever, in the year 2024. Any increase in the coverage is a significant achievement and evidence that millions of children are being protected from life-threatening diseases that are still, unfortunately, preventable and deadly, including diphtheria, measles and rubella. The achievement reflects sustained governments’ commitment, innovation in delivery models, and new and revived global reach efforts to reach every child, including those in isolated locations.
Background & Context
Childhood immunisation has long been a component of public health strategies for South Asia, which continues to be home to a significant share of the world’s population. The application of these services has on occasion been interrupted, and alerts regarding children being missed were raised during this period as routine vaccination services offered by immunisation programmes were disrupted and re-instated during the COVID-19 pandemic. South Asia regaining lost ground, and in some instances exceeding even pre-COVID-19 levels of coverage in 2024, means a full return to public health efforts to support children to survive and continue to develop.
Aim & Objectives
The overarching aim behind the collective push for vaccination by South Asia is that life-saving vaccines for children are made universally accessible, followed by a reduction in disease outbreaks which are preventable, and improved child mortality. Vaccines like DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis), and measles, are still primary indicators of how far health benefits are reaching children. The aim is not only high coverage, but also equity, specifically in ensuring zero-dose children are found.
Key Highlights from Data for 2024
In 2024, 92% of infants in South Asia received the DTP third dose (up from 90% in 2023), and the first dose now reached 95%. One of the most impressive changes was the 27% decrease in zero-dose children from 2.5 million in 2023 to 1.8 million in 2024. India had a 43% decrease in zero-dose children from 1.6 million to 0.9 million. The number of zero-dose children in Nepal decreased by 52%.
Pakistan achieved its highest DTP3 coverage ever recorded at 87%, however Afghanistan recorded the lowest DPT3 and a small decrease in performance. For measles immunisation, the region had a total first dose coverage of 93%, and total second dose coverage of 88% which contributed to 39% decrease of measles cases from 90,000 cases to 55,000 cases reported in 2024.
HPV Vaccination
During 2024 social mobilisers achieved an increase in HPV vaccination (preventative of cervical cancer) from 2% in 2023 to 9% coverage in 2024. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka all reported that coverage is on track and see that it can be improved further. Nepal initiated its HPV programme in February 2025 and report that they have reached 1.4 million girls. India and Pakistan expect to launch their HPV vaccination programme by end of 2025.
Government Action and Partnerships
The results across South Asia came from a combination of strong government leadership, funding, and frontline health workers, especially community workers, many of whom are women. Governments used digital tracking methods, focused awareness campaigns, and enhanced data tracking and monitoring systems to ensure children and adolescents were not left behind. Supported by local producers, donor agencies, and global agencies, like UNICEF and WHO, priority actions supported rebuilding trust and resiliency in the health system.
Importance
Despite numbers indicating solid progress, there remains work to be done. There remain over 2.9 million children across the region who are under-vaccinated or unvaccinated. WHO and UNICEF have requested that governments increase domestic financing for vaccination (expanding HPV coverage) and build health workforce capacity to access the hardest-to-reach populations who are often the most marginalised. The 2024 WHO and UNICEF immunization success story indicates, when political will, community trust, and international partnerships are brought together, anything is possible.