Coinciding with World Health Assembly discussions on vaccine strategy, The International Vaccine Access Center has released a data visualization platform--VIEW-hub--providing up-to-date info on the world’s vaccination coverage shortfalls.
The data show that even though vaccines against Hib, rotavirus and pneumococcal disease have been proven effective, the pathogens and associated conditions are still the world’s leading cause of death for children 5 and under. The team reports that 42% (56 million) of the world’s infants aren’t receiving a Hib vaccine, 60% (80 million) aren’t receiving a pneumococcal vaccine and 76% (102 million) aren’t receiving a rotavirus vaccine. IVAC says the tool can be used to determine coverage gaps and inform policy decisions.
IVAC found that 72% of the world's pneumonia and diarrhea child deaths occur in just 15 countries, with two very burdened countries--Nigeria and India--having recently introduced the jabs.
In one example, the IVAC says 44 African countries have introduced a pneumococcal vaccine, but only 17 have high or very high vaccination rates, suggesting a lack of effective policy among the others.
The data sources include the WHO, CDC, UNICEF, Gavi, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and vetted local government sources. Gavi and the Gates Foundation supported the project via grants.
- here's the release
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