Yemen's vaccine shortage threatens health of millions of children

A shortage of routine childhood vaccines in Yemen has left roughly five million children without protection, according to Al Jazeera. The gap stems from a dispute between the internationally‑backed government and Houthi‑controlled authorities over the distribution of doses supplied by international partners. Health officials say the impasse has halted the delivery of measles, polio and diphtheria shots that are normally part of Yemen's national immunisation schedule.

The scarcity has sparked fears of a resurgence of preventable diseases in a country already grappling with a protracted civil war that began in 2015. United Nations agencies have warned that the collapse of health infrastructure, combined with the current vaccine shortfall, could trigger large‑scale outbreaks among children who are already vulnerable to malnutrition and displacement.

Background: Yemen’s health system has been under siege for more than a decade, with hospitals and clinics repeatedly damaged or forced to close. Prior to the war, routine immunisation coverage hovered around 80%, but the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that coverage fell below 50% in recent years. The country relies heavily on donor‑funded shipments of vaccines, which are coordinated through the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Political fragmentation often hampers the equitable distribution of these supplies, a pattern that has re‑emerged with the latest dispute.

Local health workers describe the situation as “heart‑breaking,” noting that children miss the critical window for protection against diseases that can cause severe complications or death. Parents in war‑torn regions are forced to choose between seeking scarce medical care and staying in unsafe areas, further complicating outreach efforts.

International partners, including the WHO, have called for an urgent cease‑fire on health aid to ensure that vaccine deliveries reach all parts of the country. Without a swift resolution, experts warn that Yemen could see a spike in measles cases similar to the 2019 outbreak that claimed thousands of lives.

The humanitarian community is urging both sides of the conflict to prioritize child health and to allow neutral, unhindered access for vaccination teams. As the deadline for the next batch of supplies approaches, the pressure mounts for a political solution that puts children’s lives above the ongoing power struggle.