LONDON — A new global study suggests that progress in vaccinating children against various life-threatening diseases has stalled over the past two decades, with some countries even witnessing a decline in vaccination rates.

The situation has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, leaving millions of children unprotected from diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, and polio.

Child health experts warn that cuts to international aid budgets funding vaccination programs, combined with vaccine skepticism, have created a "perfect storm." The global childhood vaccination program has been highly successful, with over four billion children vaccinated since 1974, preventing an estimated 150 million deaths worldwide.

However, since 2010, progress in vaccination rates has stagnated, resulting in significant variations in coverage globally.

Measles vaccinations have declined in nearly 100 countries, and the Covid-19 pandemic further disrupted vaccine programs during lockdowns.

As of 2023, there are nearly 16 million children who remain unvaccinated, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.

The study highlights the increased risk of outbreaks for diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria due to faltering immunization progress.

Wide discrepancies persist between vaccination rates in wealthier and lower-income countries.

However, the report also warns that vaccination rates have declined in Europe, the United States, and other wealthy nations.

The authors call for a concerted effort to strengthen primary healthcare systems, combat misinformation around vaccines, and provide better access to vaccines worldwide.