Disease Outbreaks Threaten Vaccine Progress Globally, UN and Gavi Warn
The World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have issued a stark warning: disease outbreaks threaten vaccine progress and put millions of lives—especially children—at risk.
The agencies raised concerns in a joint news release on Thursday, marking the start of World Immunisation Week (April 24–30). They highlighted that misinformation, rising population, humanitarian crises, and reduced global health funding are undermining hard-won gains in immunisation achieved over the past 50 years.
“Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives in five decades,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus. “But today, funding cuts threaten these achievements as outbreaks of preventable diseases increase, putting even more lives in danger.”
Global Surge in Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
According to the release, cases of measles, meningitis, and yellow fever are rising at alarming rates. Measles cases hit 10.3 million in 2023—a 20% rise from 2022—and are projected to increase in 2024 and 2025. In the last year alone, 138 countries reported measles infections, with 61 facing major outbreaks, the highest since 2019.
Meningitis is also resurging, particularly in Africa. In the first quarter of 2025, over 5,500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths were recorded in 22 countries. This follows 26,000 cases and 1,400 deaths reported in 2024.
“We are seeing preventable diseases return with force. This puts global health systems, already burdened, under immense pressure,” noted Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi.
Yellow fever cases are rising again after years of decline, with 124 confirmed infections in 12 African countries in 2024 alone. In the Americas, outbreaks have emerged in four countries with 131 confirmed cases so far in 2025.
Funding Cuts Jeopardise Global Immunisation
The agencies attributed the resurgence to global funding cuts. A WHO review of 108 country offices—mostly in low- and lower-middle-income nations—revealed that nearly half face moderate to severe disruptions in vaccination and access to medical supplies. Disease surveillance is also compromised in more than half the countries surveyed.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned,
“Over 15 million vulnerable children in fragile regions may miss measles vaccines due to limited funding. Outbreak responses in nearly 50 countries are already as disrupted as during the peak of COVID-19.”
Despite setbacks, joint efforts by WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and global partners continue to expand vaccine access through primary healthcare. Currently, vaccines save approximately 4.2 million lives every year from 14 preventable diseases—almost half in Africa.
Urgent Call for Global Support
The agencies called on world leaders, donors, and communities to act decisively. They urged countries to fulfil their promises under the Immunisation Agenda 2030 and increase support for vaccine initiatives.
Dr. Sania Nishtar stressed the importance of long-term investment:
“Outbreaks of highly infectious diseases are a global concern. Gavi’s next strategic plan includes expanding vaccine stockpiles and deploying targeted preventive vaccination. But without full funding, our ability to protect the most vulnerable is at risk.”
To support its plan to protect 500 million children and save at least 8 million lives between 2026 and 2030, Gavi will host a high-level pledging summit on June 25, 2025, aiming to raise $9 billion.
References
Disease Outbreaks Threaten Vaccine Progress Globally, UN and Gavi Warn