Global routine vaccination coverage, 2014

In 1974, WHO established the Expanded Programme on Immunization to ensure

that all children have access to routinely recommended vaccines. Since then, global coverage with the 4 core vaccines – Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) for protection against tuberculosis, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP), polio vaccine, and measles vaccine – has increased from <5% to ≥85%, and additional vaccines have been added to the recommended schedule. Coverage with the third dose of DTP vaccine (DTP3) by age 12 months is a key indicator of immunization programme performance because it reflects completion of the basic infant immunization schedule; coverage with other vaccines, including the third dose of polio vaccine (polio3) and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) is also assessed. Estimated global DTP3 coverage has remained at 84%–86% since

2009, with estimated 2014 coverage at 86%. Estimated global coverage for the second routine dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) was 38% by the end of the second year of life and 56% when including older age groups. This is a modest increase from 36% and 55% respectively in 2013.