Yemen vaccine shortages leave millions of children without routine immunisations

Vaccine supplies have reportedly run out in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, leaving nearly five million children without routine immunisations, according to the Health Ministry in the government-held city of Aden.

The Houthi-held Health Ministry in Sanaa said its final vaccine shipment arrived on 4 September 2025. UNICEF halted operations in Houthi-controlled areas the following month after UN staff were detained and its premises raided. UNICEF declined to address specific allegations, saying it was working to help children access vaccines, while Gavi did not respond to requests for comment.

Sanaa health officials blamed UNICEF and Gavi for the collapse in supplies, saying humanitarian work had been politicised and that a reported blockade prevented the authorities from importing vaccines. Aden’s Health Ministry said vaccines were available nationally but alleged Houthi restrictions had obstructed their receipt, transport and distribution.

Houthi authorities rejected that account, citing a lack of coordination with Aden and concerns that vaccines transported by road could be spoiled. Aden’s ministry also alleged that shipments allocated to Houthi-controlled areas had been rejected.

Families are travelling to government-held areas such as Taiz to obtain vaccinations. One parent told Al Jazeera the journey and treatment cost about $100, putting access beyond the reach of many households. Health workers in Taiz said dozens of children from Houthi-controlled areas were arriving at clinics each day.

Yemen’s health system was already severely weakened by the conflict, which began in late 2014. In March 2026, 59.3 per cent of health facilities were reported to be fully functional and complete vaccination coverage was reported at 63 per cent, although those figures predate the reported exhaustion of supplies in Houthi-controlled areas.