Routine immunisations: reversing the decline (Lancet, 22 April 2023)

Summary

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the power and potential of vaccination in real time. But it has also disrupted health services and caused supply chain challenges, resulting in stagnation and backsliding of routine vaccinations. For example, global coverage of the third dose of the diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis vaccine fell from 86% in 2019 to 81% in 2021—the lowest level since 2008. 25 million children missed out on life-saving measles, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccines in 2021. This editorial in The Lancet calls for a catch-up to return to pre-pandemic vaccination levels and looks at how this can be achieved.