Camilla Jessen
Diseases once thought nearly eradicated are surging back.
Global vaccination progress is faltering, with health experts warning that a resurgence of preventable diseases could trigger a broader public health crisis.
The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and vaccine alliance GAVI are sounding the alarm as millions of children miss critical vaccinations, reversing decades of health gains against diseases like measles, diphtheria, and yellow fever.
The rollback is attributed to a range of factors: rising vaccine skepticism fueled by misinformation on social media, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifting political priorities redirecting funding away from global health toward military and domestic budgets.
Additionally, major donors, including the United States, have pulled back from international health initiatives, exacerbating vulnerabilities in low-income and conflict-affected regions.
A Steady Erosion of Global Immunization
Recent data show a concerning trend:
- In 2021, 12.9 million children missed routine vaccinations.
- In 2022, the figure rose to 13.9 million.
- By 2023, it climbed to 14.5 million.
More than half of these children live in regions facing political instability or conflict. The public health impact is already visible: in 2023 alone, over 10 million cases of measles were reported globally, despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine since the 1960s.
Yellow fever, meningitis, and diphtheria are also resurging. In South America, yellow fever cases doubled during the first quarter of 2024 compared to all of 2023.
Misinformation Meets Structural Weakness
Health experts attribute declining vaccine uptake to the “three Cs”: Convenience, Confidence, and Complacency—all under increasing strain.
Access to vaccines has become more difficult in many regions, public trust in vaccination campaigns is eroding, and complacency toward infectious disease threats is rising.
Social media platforms have amplified anti-vaccine narratives, spreading misinformation faster than public health campaigns can respond. Meanwhile, critical international health initiatives are facing financial shortfalls as donor nations scale back commitments.
Despite the growing challenges, some countries—including Denmark and Norway—continue to uphold their aid commitments.
Public health experts stress that it is not too late to reverse the trend but warn that immediate political commitment, sustained funding, and coordinated international action are required.
Failure to act, they warn, could undermine decades of progress in global health and lead to wider societal and economic instability.
The article is based on reporting from TV2.