Open AccessTaking stock of global immunisation coverage progress: the gains, the losses and the journey ahead
Author(s) -
Chukwudi A Nnaji,
A J Owoyemi,
Uchenna Anderson Amaechi,
Alison B. Wiyeh,
Duduzile Ndwandwe,
Charles Shey Wiysonge
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1876-3413
pISSN - 1876-3405
DOI - 10.1093/inthealth/ihz120
Subject(s) - global health , context (archaeology) , stock (firearms) , immunization , vaccination , development economics , economic growth , economics , business , political science , medicine , health care , geography , immunology , archaeology , antigen
Despite the enormous benefits of vaccination, global immunisation coverage progress has stalled and remains suboptimal in many countries. In this commentary, we review the recently published update of the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund Estimates of National Immunization Coverage. We highlight trends in which, despite substantial gains made in improving immunisation coverage at the global level, there remain numerous challenges with reaching and sustaining optimal coverage. We contextualise the trends by exploring plausible supply- and demand-side root causes. Based on these, we stress the need for targeted, context-appropriate strategies for reaching and maintaining optimal immunisation coverage.