UNICEF data shows 23 million children missed out on childhood vaccines in India last year, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019, due to COVID-19. At 3 million, India has the highest number of under-vaccinated or unvaccinated children worldwide for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTP-1), UNICEF says. “Even as countries clamour to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines, we have gone backwards on other vaccinations, leaving children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles, polio or meningitis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling COVID-19, making it more urgent than ever to invest in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached.”
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