Report on Child Mortality and Vaccination Efforts in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Child Mortality Challenges and Historical Context

South Sudan currently holds the unfortunate distinction of being the deadliest country for young children, with United Nations estimates indicating that approximately 1 in 10 children born there do not survive to their fifth birthday. This alarming statistic highlights ongoing global health challenges related to child mortality.

Historically, similar rates were observed in the United States a century ago, where about 10% of children died before reaching kindergarten, a significant improvement from 1900 when 25% of American children did not survive to age five. Today, even the poorest regions globally offer better survival chances for children than the richest areas did 100 years ago.

The Role of Vaccination in Reducing Child Mortality

Vaccines have been the primary driver behind the global reduction in infant mortality, accounting for approximately 40% of the decline over the past 50 years. This progress has resulted in an estimated 150 million lives saved worldwide. Vaccination programs have eradicated smallpox and substantially decreased deaths from diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, whooping cough, and tetanus.

Beyond survival, vaccines contribute to healthier childhoods and improved lifelong health outcomes, aligning directly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Current Threats to Vaccination Programs and Global Health Initiatives

Recent policy decisions threaten to undermine these achievements. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration and a noted vaccine skeptic, announced the United States’ withdrawal from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi is a global partnership that facilitates access to life-saving vaccines for children worldwide.

The U.S. has historically contributed about 13% of Gavi’s budget, pledging $2.53 billion through 2030, which was projected to save approximately 1.2 million lives by expanding vaccine coverage. The withdrawal jeopardizes these outcomes and risks reversing progress toward SDG 3.

Implications of Reduced Funding on Global Health and SDGs

1. Increased Child Mortality: Reduced vaccination coverage may lead to preventable deaths from infectious diseases, disproportionately affecting children in low-income countries.
2. Global Disease Spread: Diseases such as measles and tuberculosis do not respect borders; diminished vaccination efforts increase risks globally, including in the United States.
3. Antimicrobial Resistance: Tuberculosis is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, making prevention through vaccination critical to controlling its spread.

These challenges directly hinder progress toward SDG 3 and indirectly affect SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by exacerbating health disparities.

Accountability and Political Considerations

• The decision to withdraw from Gavi reflects a broader skepticism toward scientific consensus on disease and vaccination.
• Political leaders and policymakers bear responsibility for safeguarding public health achievements and ensuring informed decision-making.
• Senators who confirmed leadership appointments with known anti-vaccine views share accountability for potential negative health outcomes.

Conclusion: Protecting Global Health Achievements and Advancing the SDGs

The global reduction in child mortality through vaccination represents one of civilization’s greatest achievements and a critical component of the Sustainable Development Goals. Continued support for international vaccination initiatives like Gavi is essential to:

• Save millions of lives annually
• Prevent the resurgence of deadly diseases
• Promote equitable health outcomes worldwide

Stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, and individual donors, must collaborate to sustain and enhance vaccination programs to fulfill the commitments of SDG 3 and related goals.

For those interested in supporting these efforts, donations to Gavi can be made here.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses heavily on child mortality, vaccination, and disease prevention, which are core aspects of SDG 3.
2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The discussion about Gavi, an international alliance involving governments and private funders, relates to SDG 17, which emphasizes global partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
   • Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, and provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
2. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Child Mortality Rate (Indicator 3.2.1):
   • The article cites child mortality rates in South Sudan and historical rates in the United States, highlighting this as a key indicator to measure progress towards reducing under-five mortality.
2. Vaccination Coverage (Indicator 3.b.1):
   • The article discusses the impact of vaccines on reducing infant mortality and preventing diseases like measles, tuberculosis, and smallpox, implying vaccination coverage as an indicator.
3. Funding Contributions to Global Health Partnerships:
   • The article mentions the US contribution to Gavi and the potential impact of withdrawing funding, implying financial resource mobilization as an indicator under SDG 17.
4. Incidence and Prevalence of Communicable Diseases (Indicator 3.3.1):
   • References to measles, tuberculosis, and AIDS imply tracking disease incidence and prevalence as indicators.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vox.com