More than 14 million children each year miss out on routine vaccinations—not because vaccines aren’t available, but because health systems, funding, and political will fall short. But new networks spanning Africa and Asia are working to change that—here’s how.
Every year, millions of children in low-income countries go unvaccinated—not due to parental neglect or supply shortages, but because political and financial systems fail to deliver.
These are the zero-dose children: those who haven't received even the first dose of the DTP vaccine, a marker of access to routine .
And the stakes are high. Immunization prevents between 3.5 to 5 million deaths annually, yet over 14 million children—most living below the poverty line—are left unprotected. While vaccine coverage improved between 2000 and 2020, many countries still won't meet the 90% coverage target by 2030, particularly for vaccines like BCG, DTP3, and measles.
So, how do you fix something this complex?
One emerging solution: turning political will into real-world action. In April, 21 lawmakers from 10 countries gathered in Istanbul to form the Africa-Asia Parliamentary Network—a coalition focused on long-term funding strategies for immunization and primary health care. At the center of this effort is : pushing policy change from within the system.
Behind the scenes, organizations like the Global Health Advocacy Incubator help make this possible. Working in partnership with local civil society, their advocacy model often focuses on five key pillars:
By equipping local stakeholders with data, tools, and training, this model helps turn commitments into actual financing—and financing into vaccinations.
In countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Madagascar, this strategy is already showing results. All three met their 2023 immunization co-financing obligations, a major milestone toward long-term vaccine sustainability.
The Istanbul forum also led to concrete national action plans: Madagascar committed to forming a new parliamentary health caucus, while Laos laid the groundwork for a multi-sector immunization coalition.
Advocacy groups have supported this work in countries such as Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zambia—regions that reflect the greatest need and potential for impact.
Efforts to reach zero-dose children are part of the Immunization Agenda 2030, a global movement recognizing that no child should be left behind due to geography, income, or politics. And while the gap is wide, progress is possible—especially when funding aligns with political commitment.
Advocacy, in this context, isn't just campaigning. It's strategic, data-driven, and deeply collaborative. It's about shifting systems so that health becomes a guarantee, not a privilege.
Immunization is one of the world's most effective health tools—but only if every child can access it.
If you're curious about how strategic partnerships and local leadership are shaping immunization policy around the world, organizations like the offer a closer look at what that work can achieve.
