Deficiencies in immunization campaigns highlighted in new UNICEF report

According to the report of the UN International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) worldwide diphtheria pertussis tetanus and poliomyelitis vaccination programs are still failing to reach millions of children in the developing world particularly in Africa. It is noted that in developing countries 370000 children below 5 years of age die from whooping cough and another 50000 die from tuberculosis every year. Moreover more than half of the infants born are unprotected against tetanus and 200000 die from the disease. The report reveals that a large part of the problem is related to inadequate funding and the high cost of initiating broad-based programs. While the reports widely credits UNICEF with promoting vaccination efforts in developing countries it also points to several private and public-private efforts including the commitment of US750 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the development of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.