Vaccination rollback threatens decades of public health progress

Along with access to clean water, immunization has historically been one of the most effective tools for protecting the health of communities. Thanks to vaccination programs, diseases like smallpox have been eradicated from the planet, and others, like polio, have declined by more than 99% since 1988.

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However, progress is at risk. The sustained decline in vaccination coverage threatens to undo decades of public health achievements, and Latin America is no exception.

A 2023 UNICEF report revealed an alarming fact: one in four children in Latin America does not receive essential vaccines. This is the largest drop in childhood immunizations in the last ten years. Although a recovery was observed during Vaccination Week in the Americas in 2024, with more than 65 million doses administered in 34 countries—two million more than the previous year— experts warn that the accumulated backlog still represents a significant risk.

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" We are seeing the return of diseases we thought were under control ," the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently warned, issuing an epidemiological alert in February 2025 due to the increase in measles cases in the region. During the eighth epidemiological week of the year, 268 cases were recorded, primarily in people over five years of age, a figure much higher than the 60 cases reported during the same period in 2024.

Another cause for concern is yellow fever. As of March 22, 2025, 131 cases and 53 deaths had been confirmed, more than double the number recorded for the entire previous year. “ The spread outside the Amazon region is especially worrying ,” indicated PAHO, which has detected cases in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, increasing the risk of spread.

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Colombia is also facing a rise in cases of meningococcal meningitis , which has led health authorities to reinforce calls for prevention and strict adherence to vaccination schedules.

Adding to this scenario is a phenomenon that threatens to further undermine efforts: misinformation. “ Myths surrounding vaccines are weakening public confidence, directly affecting vaccination decisions and adherence to schedules throughout life ,” warned the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the organization, this loss of confidence is now one of the top ten threats to global health.

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During the recent Americas Vaccination Week campaign, the pharmaceutical company GSK highlighted the importance of countering major myths. “ One of the most common misconceptions is that vaccines are only necessary during childhood. But adolescents, adults, and older adults also need protection against diseases like HPV, influenza, and shingles ,” the company explained in a statement.

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Furthermore, experts emphasize that vaccines do not cause the diseases they are intended to prevent, and that immunity acquired through vaccination is safer than immunity acquired after contracting a disease. “ Diseases such as measles or mumps can cause serious complications. Not getting vaccinated and exposing yourself to them is an avoidable risk when scientifically proven alternatives exist ,” concludes the WHO.