Who are zero-dose children, and why are they a key indicator of inequity in immunization?

Zero-dose children are defined as infants who have not received their first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis-containing vaccine by their first birthday. 

The annual WHO/UNICEF national estimates of immunization coverage will be released on 15 July

These estimates provide the world’s largest dataset on immunization coverage trends for key infant and childhood vaccinations.

Global leaders reaffirm commitment to IA2030 

During the 79th World Health Assembly, Member States recognized vaccines as one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health interventions.

Big Catch-Up reached ~9M zero-dose children in Africa

24 priority countries in the African Region adopted the Big Catch-Up initiative to reach missed children and strengthen immunization systems towards IA2030.

New evidence: malaria vaccine saves child lives

Lancet findings confirm the RTS,S malaria vaccine significantly reduces child deaths in the first African countries to introduce it.

WHO experts advise on Ebola treatments and vaccines

In response to the Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the DRC, with cases in Uganda, WHO convened expert and advisory groups.

4th TB Vaccine Accelerator Council held during WHA

Key focus areas included strengthening domestic financing, country ownership, preparedness and advocacy to accelerate access to new TB vaccines.

Closing immunity gaps via school vaccination checks 

School vaccination checks help identify missed doses and improve coverage. New research shows they effectively close measles immunity gaps in Zambia.

WHO DG presents Global Health Award to four leaders

At WHA79, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros honoured four leaders with the Global Health Award for their outstanding contributions to global health.

• Impact of introducing RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine on mortality in young children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi: an observational evaluation of a cluster-randomised implementation programme - here
• Joint evaluation of COVAX - lessons for future pandemics :

  Video - here 
  Evaluation - here

• Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, March 2026: conclusions and recommendations - here

• Launch of WHO Guidance for Using Modelling for Immunization Decision-Making - here
• Malaria vaccines: Practical approaches to collaboration between malaria and immunization programs - here
• WHO contribution in Somalia 2020-2025:  Evaluation report  - here
• Quantifying relative health impact across Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's portfolio in 117 countries at the subregional level: a modelling study  here

Regional Consultation on Vaccine and Immunization Research Preparedness for Vaccine Preventable Disease Outbreaks and Pandemics
New Delhi, India, 14-16 April 2026

World Immunization Week 2026 Partner Survey

Thank you for participating in World Immunization Week 2026! We’d love it if you could provide some feedback on how you participated in the campaign, which resources you found useful, and how you think things can be improved next year. 
Access the survey here.

Contribute to the next issue of the GIN

The next issue will be dedicated to the release of the WHO/UNICEF national estimates of immunization coverage. Following a summer break in August, the newsletter will return in September. To contribute to the September update, please click on this link to submit an article by the 28th of August.  If you have any questions or feedback, please contact: globalimmunnews@who.int