Gavi says 9.5 million children in 57 countries do not receive routine vaccinations in the first year of life, leaving them classified as “zero-dose.” The figure is reported for 2025 and refers to children who have not received the first dose of vaccines that include diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) by the end of their first year.
The outlets note Gavi’s definition of zero-dose children, which is used to track gaps in routine immunisation coverage. While the reports focus on the scale of the shortfall and the number of affected children, they do not provide country-by-country breakdowns or details on the reasons children miss vaccines. The story is presented as part of monitoring efforts to improve access to routine childhood immunisation across participating countries.
