Child - Coverage

Coverage of essential health care practices: More than half of under-5 child deaths are due to diseases that are preventable and treatable through simple, affordable interventions. Live saving interventions include vaccines and adequate nutrition (including early and continued breastfeeding).

Vaccines are available for some of the most deadly childhood diseases, such as measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenza type B and Streptococcus pneumonia and diarrhoea due to rotavirus. Vaccines can protect children from illness and death. Coverage is generally high in low and middle income countries but requires sustained resources and effort at the national level.

Malnourished children, particularly those with severe acute malnutrition, have a higher risk of death from common childhood illness such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria. Nutrition-related factors contribute to about 45% of deaths in children under-5 years of age. Adequate nutrition including support for early and continued breastfeeding will go a long way to helping children survive common illnesses.  Strengthening health systems to provide interventions such as these to all children will save many young lives.