Sudan’s children experience growing threat of deadly infectious diseases as vaccination rates halve

Sudan’s children experience growing threat of deadly infectious diseases as vaccination rates halve
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Sudan’s civil war, now in its second year, has caused a dramatic decline in childhood vaccination rates, worsening the country’s humanitarian crisis, The Guardian reported. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination coverage for young children in Sudan dropped from over 90% in 2022 to just 48% in 2025—the lowest rate worldwide. This decline is attributed entirely to the ongoing conflict rather than vaccine hesitancy.

The war has led to widespread displacement, destruction of health facilities, disrupted supply chains, and unpaid health workers, severely limiting access to essential healthcare services. Over 838,000 children in Sudan did not receive even a single dose of vaccine last year, placing the country third globally behind Nigeria and India in the number of zero-dose children.

The first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTP-1) is a key indicator of healthcare access. Missing this vaccine suggests children and their families have almost no contact with health systems. Diseases preventable by vaccines, such as measles, continue to cause deaths and long-term complications among vulnerable displaced children living in camps.

Globally, children in conflict-affected countries are three times more likely to be unvaccinated. WHO warns that even small drops in immunisation can lead to deadly outbreaks. Humanitarian efforts have improved vaccination rates in parts of Sudan this year, but ongoing fighting and funding shortfalls remain major obstacles.

Aid organizations call for urgent peace and increased global support to protect Sudanese children’s health and future.