Global Vaccination Data Tracking Improved From 2016 to 2022
A study of 194 countries found that more nations developed systems to record delayed childhood vaccine doses.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in COVID-19
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Should countries prioritize upgrading their health tracking systems to better monitor delayed childhood vaccinations?
Between 2016 and 2022, the share of countries capable of recording delayed vaccine doses increased from 55.5% to 64.0%. Researchers analyzed global monitoring data to address knowledge gaps in catch-up vaccination efforts.
Why it matters
Accurately tracking delayed doses is essential for refining public health strategies and identifying where immunization programs need improvement. Including these figures raised median coverage estimates by up to 5.1 percentage points, providing a more precise picture of global health.
In 2022, 64.0% of the 194 surveyed countries had systems to record delayed doses, with a median proportion of delayed MCV1 doses reaching 6.3%. Incorporating this data increased vaccination coverage estimates by 3.6 to 5.1 percentage points.
The players
World Health Organization
The United Nations agency is responsible for international public health and coordinating global vaccination standards.
UNICEF
This United Nations agency provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide and manages immunization logistics.
The details
The analysis revealed that 14 of 59 high-income countries relied on surveys rather than administrative information systems, while low-income nations reported higher system availability. These findings have led to direct revisions to the WHO and UNICEF electronic Joint Reporting Form to better capture immunization data.
Timeline
The WHO Expanded Program on Immunization began in 1974.
The primary dataset for this study covered the period from 2016 to 2022.
The Immunization Agenda 2030 was endorsed in August 2020.
Electronic Joint Reporting Form revisions were implemented in 2024.
The Big Picture
This study's focus on improving data granularity follows a pattern set by the Immunization Agenda 2030 to strengthen immunization monitoring.
More accurate tracking of vaccination schedules allows for better identification of missed doses, ensuring children receive necessary catch-up immunizations on time. Improved reporting systems help health providers close coverage gaps and strengthen community-level immunity.
The takeaway
Improving data collection at the national level provides a clearer understanding of global immunity trends. Policymakers can use these insights to optimize catch-up vaccination programs and protect vulnerable populations from preventable diseases.
Further reading
Learn more about international health standards and immunization tracking in the COVID-19 section.
Live Poll
Should countries prioritize upgrading their health tracking systems to better monitor delayed childhood vaccinations?
