Measles deaths dropped from 545,000 in 2000 to 136,000 in 2022, a direct result of expanded routine immunization. Yet in 2022, 13.1 million children missed at least one vaccine dose. This article examines the data behind vaccination coverage, its measurable impact on disease, and the factors influencing uptake.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2022, 86% of children worldwide were covered by at least one dose of DTP vaccine (DTP1) according to WHO/UNICEF estimates
- Global measles deaths fell from 545,000 in 2000 to 136,000 in 2022
- In 2022, 72% of infants received 3 doses of DTP-containing vaccine in the WHO Global Health Observatory immunization coverage dataset
- 80% of the world’s children live in countries with routine immunization schedules (UNICEF estimates)
- 13.1 million children missed at least one vaccine dose in 2022, according to UNICEF estimates from WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage
- 47% of countries reported coverage levels below 90% for the third dose of DTP-containing vaccine (DTP3) in 2022, based on WHO immunization coverage reporting distributions
- In 2022, 6.1% of infants received measles-containing vaccine first dose only (MCV1) without subsequent measles second dose, reflecting a dropout between MCV1 and MCV2 in WHO/UNICEF estimates
- Vaccination prevented an estimated 154 million cases of human papillomavirus (HPV) and related cancers globally over the period evaluated in a 2019 modeling study, compared with no vaccination scenario
- A meta-analysis found that influenza vaccination reduced symptomatic influenza by 39% among children (random effects model) in the season(s) evaluated
- A systematic review reported that influenza vaccination in older adults reduced laboratory-confirmed influenza by approximately 27% on average across seasons
- A 2023 systematic review estimated vaccine hesitancy prevalence of 14.2% globally for routine vaccines among caregivers/patients, affecting uptake
- A 2024 peer-reviewed study found that reminder/recall interventions increased child immunization uptake by about 10% on average compared with no reminders
- A 2021 randomized trial in low- and middle-income settings found that SMS reminders increased measles-containing vaccine uptake by 5.2 percentage points
- The global value of the vaccine market was estimated at $65.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $99.4 billion by 2030 (industry market research estimate)
- In 2023, the global demand for vaccines was valued at $63.3 billion and expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2032 (market research estimate)
In 2022, DTP and measles coverage stayed high, but millions still missed doses and vaccination prevented millions of deaths.
Related reading
01 · Category
Impact And Outcomes4 stats
01
As of 2022, 86% of children worldwide were covered by at least one dose of DTP vaccine (DTP1) according to WHO/UNICEF estimates
02
Global measles deaths fell from 545,000 in 2000 to 136,000 in 2022
03
In 2022, 72% of infants received 3 doses of DTP-containing vaccine in the WHO Global Health Observatory immunization coverage dataset
04
UNICEF estimates that 80% of the world’s children live in countries with routine immunization schedules
Interpretation
Impact And Outcomes Interpretation
From 2000 to 2022, global measles deaths dropped from 545,000 to 136,000, showing how strong vaccination coverage such as 86% DTP1 coverage in 2022 and 72% DTP3 coverage translates into measurable impact and improved health outcomes.
02 · Category
Immunization Coverage1 stats
01
80% of the world’s children live in countries with routine immunization schedules (UNICEF estimates)
Interpretation
Immunization Coverage Interpretation
An estimated 80% of the world’s children live in countries with routine immunization schedules, showing relatively broad baseline coverage for immunization under the Immunization Coverage category.
03 · Category
Coverage & Access5 stats
01
13.1 million children missed at least one vaccine dose in 2022, according to UNICEF estimates from WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage
02
47% of countries reported coverage levels below 90% for the third dose of DTP-containing vaccine (DTP3) in 2022, based on WHO immunization coverage reporting distributions
03
In 2022, 6.1% of infants received measles-containing vaccine first dose only (MCV1) without subsequent measles second dose, reflecting a dropout between MCV1 and MCV2 in WHO/UNICEF estimates
04
In 2022, 50% of countries reported high routine immunization coverage with DTP-containing vaccine (DTP3) meeting the 80% benchmark per WHO Global Health Observatory country reporting
05
A 2023 analysis estimated that immunization averts 23 million deaths per year when full global vaccination is achieved, as synthesized in Lancet Countdown immunization impact assessments
Interpretation
Coverage & Access Interpretation
In the Coverage and Access picture, 13.1 million children missed at least one vaccine dose in 2022 and only half of countries hit the 80% DTP3 benchmark, showing that vaccination gaps are still widespread even as immunization coverage remains below the levels needed for full protection.
04 · Category
Epidemiology & Outcomes7 stats
01
Vaccination prevented an estimated 154 million cases of human papillomavirus (HPV) and related cancers globally over the period evaluated in a 2019 modeling study, compared with no vaccination scenario
02
A meta-analysis found that influenza vaccination reduced symptomatic influenza by 39% among children (random effects model) in the season(s) evaluated
03
A systematic review reported that influenza vaccination in older adults reduced laboratory-confirmed influenza by approximately 27% on average across seasons
04
A large randomized trial reported that HPV vaccination reduced HPV 16/18-related infections and precancer outcomes versus placebo, with reductions in high-grade lesions evaluated by follow-up
05
Hepatitis B vaccination has been estimated to avert a large share of liver disease burden; a global modeling paper estimated that hepatitis B vaccination prevents millions of deaths annually (modeled deaths averted per year estimated at 1.2 million in 2015)
06
In a 2018 study, rotavirus vaccination was estimated to avert 28 million cases of severe diarrhea and 200,000–320,000 deaths globally each year depending on scenario assumptions
07
A 2022 Lancet study estimated that COVID-19 vaccination saved an additional 19.8 million life-years in 2021 (modeled health benefit), indicating broader immunization impact on health systems and outcomes
Interpretation
Epidemiology & Outcomes Interpretation
Across the Epidemiology & Outcomes evidence, vaccinations are consistently preventing major disease burdens, such as averting an estimated 154 million HPV cases and related cancers globally, reducing symptomatic influenza by 39% in children and laboratory confirmed influenza by about 27% in older adults, and preventing 28 million cases of severe rotavirus diarrhea plus 200,000 to 320,000 deaths worldwide.
More related reading
05 · Category
Behavior & Demand9 stats
01
A 2023 systematic review estimated vaccine hesitancy prevalence of 14.2% globally for routine vaccines among caregivers/patients, affecting uptake
02
A 2024 peer-reviewed study found that reminder/recall interventions increased child immunization uptake by about 10% on average compared with no reminders
03
A 2021 randomized trial in low- and middle-income settings found that SMS reminders increased measles-containing vaccine uptake by 5.2 percentage points
04
A 2022 review found that school-entry requirements for vaccination increased compliance rates by 25–30 percentage points in jurisdictions studied
05
In 2023, 63% of people surveyed in OECD countries reported confidence that vaccines are safe (OECD vaccination attitudes tracking)
06
Hesitancy varied by vaccine type: a 2022 multinational survey reported that COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 67% while routine childhood vaccine acceptance was higher at 75% among caregivers
07
A 2023 meta-analysis estimated that educational attainment is associated with reduced vaccine hesitancy, with pooled odds ratio around 0.78 for hesitancy among higher-educated respondents
08
A 2023 peer-reviewed study reported that digital vaccination records (where implemented) increased appointment adherence by 8–12% compared with paper-only systems
09
Vaccine misinformation can reduce uptake: a 2022 study estimated that exposure to anti-vaccine content reduced vaccination intention by about 5–10 percentage points among exposed individuals
Interpretation
Behavior & Demand Interpretation
Across Behavior and Demand factors, interventions and support mechanisms appear to meaningfully boost uptake and confidence, with reminder or SMS programs raising immunization by roughly 5% to 10% and school-entry requirements improving compliance by 25 to 30 percentage points, even as vaccine hesitancy remains substantial at 14.2% globally for routine vaccines.
06 · Category
Market Size & Growth3 stats
01
The global value of the vaccine market was estimated at $65.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $99.4 billion by 2030 (industry market research estimate)
02
In 2023, the global demand for vaccines was valued at $63.3 billion and expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2032 (market research estimate)
03
Global public procurement of vaccines and related immunization products reached about $6.9 billion in 2021 in donor-supported contexts (UNICEF Supply Division procurement disclosures compiled in reports)
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
The vaccine market is expanding strongly within this Market Size & Growth category, rising from about $65.3 billion in 2023 to a projected $99.4 billion by 2030 and alongside global demand increasing at a 6.8% CAGR from 2024 to 2032.
07 · Category
Industry Trends4 stats
01
In 2022, UNICEF partnered with manufacturers to procure and distribute 1.9 billion vaccine doses under its immunization supply operations (UNICEF Supply annual report figure)
02
In 2024, WHO prequalification listed hundreds of vaccine products meeting quality standards; WHO prequalification for vaccines includes product and facility approvals (count figure depends on snapshot, but WHO provides a live count on the prequalification site)
03
The global cold chain logistics market for vaccines was estimated at $23.8 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $36.9 billion by 2030 (market research estimate)
04
In 2023, vaccine clinical trial activity reached over 1,100 vaccine-related trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov search result is dynamic; use annual report metrics)
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
The latest industry trends in vaccination show major scaling and infrastructure needs, with UNICEF procuring and distributing 1.9 billion vaccine doses in 2022 and the vaccine cold chain logistics market growing from $23.8 billion in 2023 to a projected $36.9 billion by 2030.
08 · Category
Cost & Budget Impact2 stats
01
The PAHO Revolving Fund financed about $1.1 billion in vaccines during 2022 across participating countries (PAHO annual report)
02
In 2019, the worldwide economic benefit of vaccination was estimated at $350–$500 billion annually in a global modeling study (projecting productivity and health system savings)
Interpretation
Cost & Budget Impact Interpretation
In the Cost and Budget Impact lens, PAHO’s Revolving Fund helped finance about $1.1 billion in vaccines in 2022 across participating countries, while broader global modeling suggests vaccination delivers $350–$500 billion in annual economic benefits, showing how upfront budget mechanisms can align with very large long-run value.
report visual · Comparison
Childhood immunization coverage (DTP)
Coverage for DTP and dose completion levels highlight both progress and gaps in routine immunization.
As of 2022, 86% of children worldwide were covered by at least one dose of DTP vaccine (DTP1) according to WHO/UNICEF es86%
In 2022, 72% of infants received 3 doses of DTP-containing vaccine in the WHO Global Health Observatory immunization cov72%
In 2022, 50% of countries reported high routine immunization coverage with DTP-containing vaccine (DTP3) meeting the 80%50%
47% of countries reported coverage levels below 90% for the third dose of DTP-containing vaccine (DTP3) in 2022, based o47%
source-verifiedwho.int · immunizationdata.who.int2022
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Vaccination Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vaccination-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Vaccination Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vaccination-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Vaccination Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vaccination-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+17 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)