LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) – Childhood immunisation rates began to recover last year in the world’s poorest countries after being badly hit by COVID-19 disruptions, according to the global vaccine alliance Gavi.
Last year, 80% of children got their diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, known as DTP3, according to early data from Gavi. That compares to 78% in 2020 and 77% in 2021. Before the pandemic hit, coverage rates had reached 82%.
Global health groups have called the pandemic’s impact on routine immunisation for children “the largest backslide in a generation”.