The United Nations warned on Thursday that global cuts to aid funding—primarily driven by the United States—are severely impacting childhood vaccination programs, with disruptions nearly as significant as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The warning comes amid rising cases of infectious diseases such as measles, meningitis, and yellow fever around the globe.
According to reports from World Health Organization (WHO) offices across 108 mostly low- and lower-middle-income countries, nearly half experienced major disruptions to both emergency and routine vaccinations as of early April due to funding cuts.
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The WHO and UNICEF, in a joint statement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, also noted that these cuts have led to reduced vaccine availability and weakened disease monitoring systems.
COVID-19 caused what was called the largest backslide in childhood vaccination in a generation, and aid funding cuts, led by the U.S. – formerly the world’s largest donor – risked the same outcome, the joint release said.
“Setbacks (are) at a similar level to what we saw during COVID-19. We cannot afford to lose ground in the fight against preventable disease,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director.
