The World Health Organization (WHO) recently celebrated 47 years of its Expanded and Essential Immunization Initiative in Yemen. During this commemoration, UNICEF highlighted the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of vaccines, noting their significant economic benefits and their role in saving lives in Yemen. Both organizations presented data and instances of catastrophic resurgence of epidemics in Yemen due to ongoing conflict and poverty.
The WHO reported 237 Yemeni children infected with the polio virus over the past three years. UNICEF revealed the death of 41,000 children from preventable diseases just in the year before last, with a child dying every 13 minutes from such illnesses. The organizations noted a troubling resurgence of diseases previously thought to be under control, such as polio, which is seeing increasing cases in the north (controlled by Houthi forces), as opposed to the south where the legitimate government holds sway. This disparity is attributed to uneven vaccine campaign efforts.
UNICEF emphasized the necessity of reaching every child with vaccines to truly save lives and protect Yemen’s economy. The health situation of children in Yemen demands substantial efforts to enhance their health standards, and the time has come to change their dire narrative by ensuring all children have access to vaccines, irrespective of their location. This requires a robust health care system and the resources to reach remote areas.
The report outlined the economic benefits of vaccination, stating that vaccinating against diseases saves families approximately 16 times the cost of vaccination, with every dollar spent on vaccinations yielding a $20 return on investment in low-income countries.
However, less than 30% of children aged between 2 and 3 years receive full vaccination doses, raising concerns about potential epidemics. Vaccination rates against measles, polio, and the DTP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) stand at 41%, 46%, and 55% respectively, far from the levels needed to ensure herd immunity and protect children’s health.
The report also cited access to health care, vaccine hesitancy, and ongoing conflict as reasons for the resurgence of controlled diseases and described the weak vaccination coverage as concerning. Last year, measles affected 137 children under five who were deprived of any vaccinations, including routine immunizations, while polio dashed the dreams of 227 children, affecting their ability to play and explore freely due to irreversible paralysis.