2025 Immunization Program

In 2025, UNICEF arranged six chartered flights to deliver 3.3 million vaccine doses to the DPRK, including hepatitis B (Hep B), measles-rubella (MR), Pentavalent (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and influenza type B), and Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) vaccines. Vaccines were administered by national implementation partners. By the end of the year, 99 per cent of the birth cohorts from 2022 to 2025 who had missed their full routine vaccinations were fully immunized. As a result, the DPRK has now regained vaccination coverage levels similar to those before the COVID pandemic, with less than one per cent of children remaining unvaccinated. These achievements were made possible through ongoing efforts by Gavi and UNICEF to keep the vaccines accessible, despite many challenges. UNICEF also procured and installed many cold chain equipment to strengthen storage and distribution systems.