Routine DTP Vaccination Coverage and Herd Immunity Against Pertussis in 2024 Did Not Recover to Pre-COVID-19 Levels Globally and in WHO Regions

Objectives: The study’s objective was to assess ten diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP) vaccination program indicators globally and in World Health Organization (WHO) regions in 2024, and compare the values in 2024 and 2019. Methods: Global and regional values for routine DTP vaccination performance indicators were assessed in 2024. Means and percentages in 2024 and 2019 were compared using the t-test and Chi-square test, respectively, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant. High-priority countries for DTP vaccination coverage increase were identified in each WHO region based on the indicators assessed in this study. Results: The global mean vaccination coverage for DTP1, DTP3 and three DTP doses were 90.7%, 86.6% and 72.8%, respectively, in 2024. Eight of the ten indicators assessed in this study worsened and two improved globally from 2019 to 2024. The differences between 2019 and 2024 were statistically significant for the three-dose DTP coverage decrease in the European WHO region (88.1% vs. 82.5%, p < 0.05), and the decrease in the global percentage of countries with ≥90% three-dose coverage (34% vs. 21%, OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.81, p < 0.005). This study identified 27 (13.8%) high-priority countries for DTP vaccination coverage increase due to DTP1 coverage lower than 80%; 47 (24.1%) countries due to DTP3 coverage lower than 80%; and 48 (24.6%) countries due to three-dose coverage lower than 60%. Conclusions: Global and regional DTP vaccination performance indicators in 2024 did not recover to pre-pandemic levels, although the differences between 2024 and 2019 were statistically significant only for two regional indicators.