South Asia Achieves Record Child Immunization Rates, Led by India and Nepal

In a significant public health achievement, South Asia has reached its highest-ever immunization coverage for children, with major contributions from India and Nepal, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF on July 15, 2025. This milestone is attributed to enhanced government initiatives, community health worker efforts, and international support, reflecting a concerted push to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to the WHO and UNICEF's data for 2024, India has successfully reduced the number of zero-dose children—those who have not received any vaccinations—by 43%, decreasing from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024. Nepal demonstrated an even more impressive reduction of 52%, dropping from 23,000 to 11,000 zero-dose children in the same period. Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, stated, "This is a proud moment for South Asia. More children are protected today than ever before, thanks to tireless frontline health workers, strong government leadership, and the unwavering trust of families."

Despite these advancements, the report cautions that over 2.9 million children in South Asia remain un- or under-vaccinated, highlighting the ongoing need for urgent action. In Pakistan, the country reported its highest-ever DTP3 (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) coverage at 87%. However, Afghanistan continues to lag, with the lowest immunization coverage in the region and a decline of one percentage point from the previous year.

The report underscores the importance of maintaining momentum in immunization efforts. In 2024, 92% of infants in South Asia received the third dose of the DTP vaccine, which is a crucial indicator of vaccination coverage, a two-percentage-point increase from 2023. The first-dose DTP coverage rose from 93% to 95%, marking a notable recovery beyond pre-COVID levels.

Additionally, substantial progress has been made in measles control, with 93% of infants receiving the first dose and 88% the second dose of the measles vaccine, which is an improvement from 90% and 87% respectively. Measles cases have decreased by 39%, from over 90,000 in 2023 to approximately 55,000 in 2024. Nonetheless, coverage still remains below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.

Dr. Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Director of Programme Management at the WHO South-East Asia Region, commented, "It is heartening to see WHO South-East Asia Region reach the highest ever immunization rates, surpassing the pre-pandemic up-trend. We must build on this momentum and step up efforts to reach every child with these lifesaving vaccines. Together we can, and we must."

The report also highlights advances in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for adolescent girls, which rose from 2% in 2023 to 9% in 2024. Bangladesh has successfully vaccinated over 7.1 million girls since launching its HPV program in 2023. Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka also reported increases in their HPV coverage.

While these achievements are commendable, the WHO and UNICEF have urged governments across South Asia to sustain their political commitment to immunization, increase domestic financing for vaccination programs, expand HPV coverage, and intensify efforts to reach zero-dose and under-vaccinated children. Furthermore, investments in frontline health workers and the reinforcement of surveillance systems for vaccine-preventable diseases are critical for maintaining and enhancing these public health gains.

As South Asia celebrates this record in immunization coverage, the challenge remains to ensure that every child is protected, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. The ongoing efforts of governments, health workers, and international organizations will be vital in achieving this goal and continuing to improve child health outcomes in the region.