What's happened
As of July 2025, global vaccination efforts face severe setbacks. Sudan's civil war has halved childhood vaccination rates, leaving nearly 880,000 infants vulnerable to preventable diseases. The US has delayed mpox vaccine shipments to Africa, risking 800,000 doses expiring unused. Meanwhile, US policy shifts and aid cuts threaten global immunization progress, with lawsuits challenging vaccine recommendation rollbacks.
What's behind the headline?
Conflict and Funding Cuts Undermine Vaccination Progress
The collapse of Sudan's healthcare system due to ongoing civil war has caused vaccination rates to plummet from over 90% in 2022 to 48% in 2025, the lowest globally. This leaves nearly 880,000 infants unprotected against diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The destruction of infrastructure, displacement of populations, and unpaid health workers exacerbate this crisis.
US Policy Shifts Impact Global Vaccine Supply
The Biden administration's mpox vaccine donation to Africa is stalled, with 800,000 doses at risk of expiration due to delayed shipments. This shortfall is linked to prior Trump-era cuts to foreign aid and the dismantling of USAID, which historically saved millions of lives. The US has only delivered a fraction of promised doses, undermining efforts to control mpox outbreaks in Africa.
Vaccine Misinformation and Political Interference
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s removal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women has sparked lawsuits from major medical organizations. This move, coupled with aid cuts and vaccine skepticism, threatens to reverse decades of immunization progress and increase preventable disease risks.
Emerging Treatments Amidst Challenges
On a positive note, Swissmedic's fast-track approval of a Novartis antimalarial drug for infants under 5kg offers new hope for malaria treatment in Africa. However, rising malaria cases and donor funding cuts pose ongoing challenges.
Forecast
Without urgent restoration of funding, infrastructure rebuilding, and policy reversal, global vaccination coverage will continue to decline, increasing the risk of outbreaks and deaths from preventable diseases. The US's role in global health aid remains pivotal; delays and policy shifts will have far-reaching consequences. The legal challenges to vaccine policy may influence future public health strategies in the US.
What the papers say
Beth Mole in Ars Technica highlights the stalled US mpox vaccine shipments to Africa, noting that "800,000 doses of the vaccines are at risk" and linking delays to "Trump administration's brutal cuts to foreign aid programs." The Japan Times reports that 48 Democratic House members warned about vaccine expiration risks, urging immediate shipment of 220,000 viable doses.
The Guardian and The Independent detail Sudan's vaccination collapse amid war, with UNICEF's Dr. Tedbabe Degefie Hailegebriel stating, "This plummeting coverage is driven entirely by the war," and WHO data showing Sudan's DTP coverage at 48%, the lowest worldwide.
AP News and The Independent report on US policy shifts, quoting WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress." They also cover lawsuits filed by major US medical groups against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for removing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, with plaintiff attorney Richard H. Hughes IV warning of "a wave of preventable harm on our nation’s children."
Swissmedic's approval of Novartis's antimalarial drug for infants is covered by The Independent and AP News, emphasizing the drug's safety and potential impact, though experts like Dr. Bhargavi Rao call for transparency on pricing and access amid rising malaria cases.
Together, these sources paint a complex picture of global vaccination challenges driven by conflict, policy, and funding, with emerging treatments offering cautious optimism.
How we got here
Vaccination coverage worldwide has been undermined by conflict, funding cuts, and policy shifts. Sudan's war has devastated healthcare, drastically reducing immunization. The US's withdrawal from WHO and aid freezes have disrupted vaccine donations, including mpox doses to Africa. These factors compound existing challenges in controlling infectious diseases globally.
Go deeper
- Why are mpox vaccines expiring in US warehouses?
- How has Sudan's civil war affected childhood vaccination rates?
- What are the implications of the US removing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations?
Common question
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What are the implications of the COVID-19 vaccine policy changes?
The recent lawsuit against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has raised significant concerns regarding the removal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women. This decision has sparked a heated debate about public health safety and the legal processes surrounding vaccine policies. Below, we explore the implications of this lawsuit and what it means for various stakeholders.
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Why Is the US Facing a Lawsuit Over Vaccine Recommendations?
Recently, the US government has come under scrutiny over its vaccine policies, especially regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for children and pregnant women. A coalition of health groups has filed a lawsuit claiming that the decision to remove these recommendations bypassed standard scientific procedures. This controversy raises important questions about how vaccine policies are made, who influences them, and what the legal and health implications might be. Below, we explore the key issues surrounding this legal challenge and what it could mean for future vaccine guidelines.
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Why Are US Health Groups Suing the Government Over Vaccine Policies?
Recently, a coalition of major health organizations has filed a lawsuit against the US government over changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. This legal challenge raises important questions about how vaccine policies are made, the role of science and politics, and what this could mean for public health moving forward. Below, we explore the key issues and answer common questions about this high-profile case.
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Why is the US delaying mpox vaccine aid to Africa?
The US has only delivered a fraction of the promised mpox vaccines to Africa, raising concerns about the reasons behind these delays. With ongoing aid cuts and logistical challenges, many wonder what’s causing the slowdown and what it means for African countries battling mpox outbreaks. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this issue and what it could mean for global health efforts.
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How Do Vaccine Aid Delays Impact Global Health Crises?
Vaccine aid delays can have serious consequences worldwide, especially in vulnerable regions. When vaccine supplies are delayed or reduced, it hampers efforts to control outbreaks and can lead to increased illness and death. Understanding the causes and effects of these delays helps us see why timely vaccine distribution is crucial for global health. Below, we explore the key questions about vaccine aid delays and their impact on health crises around the world.
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Why Are Global Vaccine Efforts Failing Now?
In 2025, global vaccination campaigns face unprecedented challenges. Conflicts like the civil war in Sudan have drastically reduced childhood immunizations, while policy shifts and aid cuts threaten to undo decades of progress. Curious about what's causing these setbacks and what can be done? Below, we explore the key issues impacting vaccine access worldwide and answer common questions about this critical situation.
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