Over the past five decades, the global infant mortality rate has plummeted by more than two-thirds, falling from 10% in 1974 to less than 3% today. This remarkable progress has been largely attributed to the widespread expansion of vaccination programs. According to a recent study led by Andrew Shattock and an international research team, published in The Lancet and shared by Our World in Data, vaccines alone have been responsible for reducing infant mortality by 40%. The study highlights that, without the global adoption of vaccines, infant mortality rates would be far higher than they are today.
Global Impact of Vaccinations
Vaccination programs have saved an estimated 150 million children over the past 50 years. The most significant reductions in child mortality rates have been linked to the control of diseases like measles, which alone has accounted for 94 million lives saved—more than 60% of the total impact of vaccines.
In 2024, the global reach of vaccinations continues to show significant progress:
- Africa: Over 50 million children’s lives have been saved.
- Southeast Asia: Vaccinations have saved more than 38 million lives.
- Americas: Over 16 million lives have been saved.
- Europe: More than seven million children have been saved.
- Other WHO regions: More than five million children’s lives have been saved.
Vaccination Success in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia has seen substantial progress in reducing infant mortality through vaccinations. In 2024, 38.04 million lives were saved by vaccines, a significant increase from 34.82 million in 2020, 15.70 million in 2000, and 5.35 million in 1990. These figures underscore the critical role of immunization programs in the region and the ongoing need for sustained efforts to maintain and expand access to life-saving vaccines.
India’s Vaccination Journey
India’s history with vaccinations dates back to the early 1800s when the British introduced the smallpox vaccine. Following India’s independence in 1947, the country launched several public health initiatives, including efforts to increase vaccination coverage. However, logistical challenges and limited access to vaccines initially hampered these efforts.
In 1978, India introduced the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to combat six preventable diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, and measles. The EPI marked the country’s first major national immunization drive and laid the groundwork for further public health campaigns.
In 1985, the government revamped EPI into the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), expanding vaccine coverage and including more diseases such as hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, and rotavirus. In 2014, India launched Mission Indradhanush to ensure full vaccination coverage for all children and pregnant women.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, India embarked on its largest vaccination campaign, administering vaccines such as Covishield (AstraZeneca) and Covaxin (developed by Bharat Biotech). By 2022, India had administered over two billion doses, further strengthening its public health infrastructure.
Vaccines and Older Children
While vaccines have been most impactful in reducing infant mortality, older children have also benefitted significantly. Immunization programs for diseases like tuberculosis, polio, measles, hepatitis B, and diphtheria have contributed to a massive reduction in child mortality rates globally.
Global Vaccination Programs
Before 1974, less than 5% of infants globally were vaccinated against diseases like diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DTP3). The establishment of the Essential Programme on Immunization by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974 aimed to vaccinate children worldwide against these critical diseases. By 2000, approximately 60% of the world’s children were being vaccinated, though gaps remained, especially in lower-income regions of Africa and Asia.
The founding of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in 2000—a partnership between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank—further accelerated global immunization efforts. Today:
- Over 80% of infants receive all necessary doses of the DTP3 vaccine.
- Global measles vaccination rates have risen from less than 20% in 2000 to over 70% today.
- More than 84% of children are vaccinated against tuberculosis.
- Around 80% of children are vaccinated against polio and hepatitis B.
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Ongoing Challenges with Vaccinations
Despite these tremendous gains, preventable diseases such as tuberculosis still cause over a million deaths each year. Meningitis, whooping cough, measles, tetanus, and hepatitis B continue to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually. However, recent advancements in vaccines, such as the development of malaria vaccines, provide hope for further progress. Two recommended malaria vaccines have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives, provided that governments continue to invest in these life-saving tools.
Vaccine Scepticism and Anti-Vaccine Movements
While the vast majority of people worldwide support childhood vaccinations, vaccine skepticism persists in some regions. A small but vocal minority of “anti-vaxxers” reject vaccines due to religious beliefs, mistrust in medical authorities, or concerns over government intervention. The modern anti-vaccine movement gained momentum after a now-discredited study by British doctor Andrew Wakefield falsely linked the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to autism in 1998.
Governments and health organizations worldwide are combating misinformation through public awareness campaigns, promoting transparency, and collaborating with social media platforms to curb vaccine-related misinformation.
In conclusion, the global drop in infant mortality rates over the last 50 years highlights the life-saving impact of vaccines. As new vaccines continue to be developed and public health efforts expand, the world edges closer to eradicating preventable childhood diseases and ensuring a healthier future for all.
