WHO calls for scaling up immunization efforts amid widening gaps and evolving donor priorities in the South-East Asia Region

New Delhi, India: Amid growing concerns over widening immunization gaps and shifting donor support, the World Health Organization is urging Member States in the WHO South-East Asia Region to strengthen country-led immunization strategies to protect vulnerable populations and prevent a reversal of hard-won public health gains.

Despite producing 46% of the world's vaccines and longstanding achievements in eliminating diseases such as polio and significantly reducing maternal and neonatal tetanus, the Region continues to face critical challenges. More than 2 million infants remain unvaccinated every year, while 650 000 get only some of the vaccines they need to stay protected.

(A student in Timor-Leste getting her HPV vaccination. Photo credit: WHO Timor-Leste)

While immunization coverage has largely rebounded in many countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria signal a need for urgent targeted action. Vulnerable communities, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas, migrant settlements, conflict zones and disaster-prone Regions, continue to face challenges in equitable access to vaccines. The strain on global health financing, including reduced support for immunization, is exacerbating the challenge.

"There is a serious risk of further backsliding in immunization at a time when (some) countries are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia. Emphasizing the crucial role of vaccination in saving lives, she said, "There is a notable disparity in immunization coverage in some countries, subnational areas, and populations. Our Region contains certain hard-to-reach geographies, migrant colonies, and conflict areas, and is prone to natural disasters. These circumstances significantly curtail life-saving vaccines for these vulnerable populations."

To address these challenges, over 70 participants, including representatives from national immunization programme from nine countries, global experts, and development partners, gathered for the Annual Meeting of the South-East Asia Regional Working Group (RWG) on Immunization, held in a hybrid format from 7 to 9 July in New Delhi, India. The meeting served as a strategic forum to review progress, build consensus, and align on the next steps to close immunization gaps.

A key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the revised RWG terms of reference, designed to enhance partner coordination, expand engagement with new stakeholders and better align advocacy and strategic direction considering emerging funding realities.

Calling for renewed political commitment and coordinated action, the Regional Director outlined eight strategic priorities to safeguard and accelerate immunization progress in the Region. These include achieving cost efficiencies by integrating vertical immunization programmes into border health systems, maximizing the impact of existing funds by improving procurement processes, and strengthening collaboration with development partners, the private sector and civil society organizations to work on immunization goals.

With budget constraints affecting disease surveillance, laboratory networks and outbreak response capacities, the Regional Director called on countries to mobilize greater domestic resources for immunization and explore innovative financing mechanisms such as tax reforms of earmarked funds and engaging with non-traditional partners to fill funding gaps. These priorities were reflected in the RWG's consolidated workplan, which focuses on strengthening health systems, enhancing cross-border collaboration, and supporting high-level advocacy for sustained financing.

These deliberations come at a pivotal time, as countries prepare to adapt their immunization strategies to the changing funding landscape. The new Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance 6.0 strategy (2026-2030) emphasizes national leadership, equity, and innovation to reach 500 million children and avert 8-9 million deaths by 2030. WHO and partners highlighted the importance of prioritization and optimization of national immunization programmes in line with the Regional Vaccine Action Plan 2022-2030 to ensure long-term impact.

Established in 2007, the RWG on Immunization, remains the Region's primary platform for coordinating partner support, resource mobilization and programme alignment. It brings together key agencies including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, World Bank, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

WHO South-East Asia Regional Office continues to provide technical support and leadership through the implementation of the Regional Vaccine Implementation Plan 2022-2026, working closely with National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups and the South-East Asia Region Immunization Technical Advisory Group. These efforts aim to strengthen resilient systems, improve vaccine equity, and advance countries towards their immunization targets.

With renewed political commitment, strong national leadership and coordinated partner support, the WHO South-East Asia Region can safeguard past gains and build stronger, more equitable immunization systems and ensure health for all.