Yemen's health ministry warns vaccine blockade endangers 5 million children

Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population warned that ongoing obstruction of vaccine supplies and immunisation services in areas controlled by the Houthi movement threatens the health of roughly five million Yemeni children. The ministry said restrictions on the movement of medical teams, repeated attacks on health workers and the detention of United Nations staff have disrupted the national immunisation programme, risking a resurgence of preventable diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.

Although vaccines for all governorates are available through international partners—including the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi)—the imposed constraints hinder their safe storage, transport and distribution. The ministry called for unconditional, secure access for health workers and technical supervision of immunisation activities, and urged parents to complete their children’s vaccination schedules. It warned that continued gaps in immunity could spill over to neighbouring countries, heightening regional public‑health risks.