Vaccines Credited With Saving 154 Million Lives Since 1974 – Global Report

Global immunisation efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past five decades, according to a landmark report released by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The findings show that children under five account for 95% of lives saved, with vaccines slashing infant mortality by 40% since 1974.

Measles, Smallpox and Polio Among Biggest Successes

The report highlights measles vaccines as the single biggest life-saver, preventing nearly 94 million deaths. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980, and polio cases have dropped by 99% since 1988.

Today, more than 30 diseases can be prevented through safe vaccination, including pneumonia, rotavirus, measles and the human papillomavirus (HPV), which experts say could avert up to 90% of cervical cancer cases worldwide.

Warning Over Declining Coverage

Despite the progress, health agencies warn that falling vaccination rates are fuelling dangerous outbreaks. A surge in measles cases across Europe and Central Asia in 2024 was directly linked to reduced coverage.

Over half of the world’s unvaccinated children currently live in just 31 fragile or conflict-affected countries, leaving millions vulnerable.

Safe, Effective and Economically Vital

Experts stressed that vaccines remain among the safest medical interventions, with side effects generally mild and serious adverse reactions extremely rare.

Immunisation also delivers huge economic returns: for every US$1 invested, the global economy gains US$54 through reduced healthcare costs and productivity losses.

“Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in public health,” said a WHO official. “But declining coverage risks reversing decades of progress.”