Key Highlights
- Infants in South Asia reached a record 92 % coverage for the third DTP dose in 2024.
- Zero‑dose children fell by 27 %, dropping from 2.5 million in 2023 to 1.8 million in 2024.
- Measles vaccination hit 93 % for the first dose and 88 % for the second, curbing cases by 39 %.
- HPV coverage increased from 2 % to 9 % across the region, with several countries accelerating programmes.
Detailed Insights
Rebound after Covid‑19 – The 2024 figures show a robust recovery, surpassing pre‑pandemic immunity levels and confirming that sustained public health commitments can restore routine services even in remote settings.
Equitable Reach – Targeted community mobilisation, especially involving women community health workers, proved instrumental in shrinking the zero‑dose cohort and ensuring marginalised communities are not overlooked.
Innovative Delivery – Digital registries, real‑time tracking dashboards, and behavioural nudges were adopted nationwide, allowing health authorities to pinpoint gaps and deploy resources where they are most needed.
Regional Variations – While India registered a 43 % reduction in zero‐dose children, Pakistan attained its highest historic DTP3 rate (87 %) yet still lags behind Afghanistan, the lowest‑covered country in the bloc.
Future Focus – WHO and UNICEF continue to call for increased domestic financing, expansion of HPV campaigns into rural and nomadic groups, and scaling up of technical training for the health workforce.
Key Concepts
- DTP – A combination vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
- Zero‑Dose Children – Infants who have never received any routine vaccine dose.
- HPV – Human papillomavirus; vaccines against it prevent cervical cancer.
- Digital Monitoring – Use of electronic registries and dashboards to track vaccination coverage in real time.
- WHO/UNICEF – Global organizations that set vaccination standards and support national program implementation.