Overview:
Nearly 1.7 million infants in the Western Pacific missed essential routine vaccines in 2025, sparking urgent warnings from the World Health Organization about potential outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles. Learn how health leaders are responding and what strategies are planned to close immunity gaps across the region.
MANILA, 12 OCTOBER 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —Nearly 1.7 million babies or about one in every 11 born in the Western Pacific missed the first routine vaccine dose in 2025, the World Health Organisation said, warning of the risks of otherwise eliminated diseases resurging in the region.
WHO noted that coverage with three doses of vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis declined from 94 percent in 2019 to 89 percent in 2025.
“Behind every outbreak is a gap: a missed child, delayed action, weakened trust, or communities not reached through regular vaccination programmnes,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific.
Health leaders noted that measles is one of the most contagious diseases that expose weaknesses in immunisation systems.
“In an interconnected region, an immunity gap in one place can become a risk elsewhere,” WHO said.
WHO reported last year that the measles cases in the Western Pacific rose by 743 percent from 2022 to 2024. Imported measles cases linked to international travel in the region have been reported by Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore.
WHO said nine countries in the region are working toward measles elimination by 2030.
“But elimination cannot be sustained through catch-up campaigns alone,” the organisation said. “It depends on health workers reaching communities, reliable vaccine supplies, strong surveillance and laboratories, good data and community trust.”
For the Western Pacific, WHO said the next chapter of immunization is about protecting what countries have already achieved, reaching those still being missed, and ensuring the benefits of vaccination reach every generation.
Health representatives from the Western Pacific will meet in Manila for the 77th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific from 19 – 22 October to discuss accelerating advancement of immunisation in the region.
The summit will tackle a proposed regional plan through 2030, focusing on three connected priorities: reducing zero-dose and under-immunised populations; achieving and sustaining measles elimination; and advancing immunisation across the life course.
The plan also emphasises sustainable national financing and ownership, investment in the systems needed to deliver vaccines reliably and greater cooperation between countries……PACNEWS