Sudan war reverses decades of childhood vaccinations, leaving kids at risk

Key Concepts

• Immunization Coverage: The proportion of a population vaccinated against specific diseases.
• DTP1 Vaccine: A combination vaccine protecting against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough). A key indicator of basic immunization coverage.
• Displaced Populations: Individuals forced to leave their homes due to conflict, posing significant challenges to healthcare access.
• Logistical Challenges: Difficulties in transporting and administering vaccines, particularly in conflict zones.
• UNICEF: The United Nations Children's Fund, actively involved in providing aid and monitoring immunization rates.

Immunization Efforts in Sudan Amidst Conflict

The report focuses on the critical state of childhood immunization in Sudan, severely impacted by the ongoing conflict. While authorities are attempting to provide vaccinations in safer areas, particularly for displaced children arriving at centers like the one in Costi, significant gaps remain, especially in conflict zones and rural areas.

The Costi center prioritizes vaccinations for newly arrived displaced children. Specifically, the malaria vaccine is administered to children aged 5 to 11 months. Since December 10th, 150 children have been vaccinated. The broader immunization program targets a range of preventable diseases including tuberculosis, pneumonia, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and potentially patassus (likely a mispronunciation of pertussis).

Challenges to Immunization Access

A major challenge highlighted is the lack of access to vaccines for families residing in conflict zones. Even in areas recently unaffected by fighting, many children have never received any vaccinations. Families from rural areas in western South Kordofan, now residing in camps, report their children have never been immunized.

The report details the extreme measures families are taking to access vaccines, including crossing the border into South Sudan to reach charity-run immunization centers. One child received only a single dose after her mother travelled to Musl. Families lacking the financial means to travel to urban centers are left with no immunization options for their children.

Declining Immunization Rates & UNICEF’s Response

The United Nations warns that Sudan currently has the lowest coverage of basic DTP1 vaccines for children under one year old. DTP1, defined as a vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough), is crucial for preventing these potentially fatal diseases in young children.

UNICEF data reveals a dramatic decline in Sudan’s DTP1 vaccination rate, dropping from 94% in 2022 to 48% in 2024. This represents the lowest immunization rate in Sudan in 40 years, with the situation being particularly dire in Darfur, where access is “near impossible” in many remote areas.

According to UNICEF’s country director in Sudan, the organization faces “numerous major security and logistical issues” in delivering vaccines to children in conflict-affected areas of Darfur and Kordofan. Approximately 1 million infants in these regions have missed their first dose of vaccine.

Escalating Crisis & Geographic Spread

The report emphasizes that the immunization crisis is expected to worsen as the fighting expands to central and southern Sudan. This geographic spread will further exacerbate the challenges of reaching vulnerable populations with life-saving vaccines.

As stated by Muhammad Val, reporting from White Nile State, Sudan, the situation is critical and requires urgent attention.