13.5 million children miss out on all vaccines as UN warns progress ‘too slow’ to meet immunisation targets

There were 13.5 million so-called “zero-dose” children in 2025, and more than half live in sub-Saharan Africa. - (AFP/Getty)

More than 13 million children missed all routine vaccinations last year, the UN has warned – saying progress towards immunisation targets is too slow and that recent gains could unravel as international aid cuts hit.

Last year, there were 13.5 million so-called "zero-dose" children, and more than half live in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria accounting for the largest number globally.