More Kids Getting Vaccines

The good news is immunization rates are at their highest ever. The bad news? An estimated 24 million children at risk still don't have access to life-saving vaccines.

But back to the good (since that's our specialty). A new assessment released Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the World Bank reveals that a record 106 million infants in 2008 were immunized.

That means more children than ever before are getting a running start in life with vaccines against the measles, whopping cough (pertussis), tetanus, meningitis, diphtheria and even HPV. UNICEF says measles deaths alone fell worldwide by 74 percent between 2000 and 2007.

So what brought about this great change? The report says developing countries themselves are responsible for the turnaround, putting financial support from the GAVI Alliance -- a partnership between WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation -- to good use. Bravo!

"We have seen a dramatic turnaround in the availability of vaccines in even the poorest countries," said Graeme Wheeler, Managing Director, World Bank Group. "Yet the international community, together with the countries themselves must ensure that new and existing technologies actually reach the most vulnerable populations, especially children."  Right -- back to the bad.

The authors of the State of the World’s Vaccines and Immunization report say $1 billion more in funds are needed to ensure that the most vulnerable children in the 72 poorest countries get life-saving immunizations.

“We have seen a dramatic turnaround in the availability of vaccines in even the poorest countries,” said Graeme Wheeler, Managing Director, World Bank Group. “Yet the international community, together with the countries themselves must ensure that new and existing technologies actually reach the most vulnerable populations, especially children.”

As our readers know, we at Tonic tend to see the glass as half full. We have a pretty good feeling that come this time next year, we'll see even better numbers. In the meantime, congratulations on the progress.

Photo courtesy of cambodia4kidsorg via Flickr.