About 25 million children worldwide have missed out on routine immunisations against common diseases like diptheria, largely because the coronavirus pandemic disrupted regular health services or triggered misinformation about vaccines, according to the U.N.

In a new report Friday, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF said their figures show 25 million children last year failed to get vaccinated against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis, a marker for childhood immunisation coverage, continuing a downward trend from 2019. This is a red alert for child health,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director.