WHO’s Director General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, shared the troubling figures during a global health briefing, revealing that measles outbreaks were reported in 60 countries in 2024 nearly twice as many as in 2022.

The numbers point to a growing crisis, especially among children in war-torn or disaster-affected areas, where healthcare access is already fragile.

But it’s not just conflict that’s to blame. Vaccine hesitancy, fuelled by misinformation and fear, is also playing a dangerous role even in places where vaccines are readily available.

“These are not just statistics, these are children whose lives are now at risk,” Dr. Tedros said.

Despite modest improvements in vaccine access, 14.3 million children received zero vaccinations, and many more got only part of what they need. WHO and UNICEF are now doubling efforts to reach the so called “zero-dose children” those who have never had a single shot.

As the world marks progress in other areas of health, the message is clear we cannot afford to let vaccine-preventable diseases make a deadly comeback.

Because behind every missed vaccine is a child who deserves a fighting chance at a healthy life.