Between war and pestilence
The impact of armed conflicts on vaccination efforts: a review of literature
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22090509 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fausto Ciccacci (0000-0003-0262-707X, University of Rome Tor Vergata, corresponding author), Emanuela Ruggieri (University of Rome Tor Vergata), P Scarcella (0000-0002-3319-7925, Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta), Stefania Moramarco (0000-0001-6192-8775, University of Rome Tor Vergata), Mariachiara Carestia (0000-0001-7811-5201, University of Rome Tor Vergata), Daniele Di Giovanni (0000-0002-6772-2310, University of Rome Tor Vergata), Loredana Andreea Silaghi (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Anna Maria Doro Altan (Link Campus University), Stefano Orlando (0000-0001-9706-4075, University of Rome Tor Vergata) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1604288-1604288 |
| Publication date | 2025-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1604288 |
| PMID | 40666147 |
| OpenAlex | W4411913292 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 26 |
Armed conflicts profoundly undermine vaccination efforts, disrupting healthcare systems, displacing populations, and enabling the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). This narrative review explores the relationship between conflict and immunization coverage through an analysis of 18 studies across diverse regions, including Syria, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine. Evidence reveals that countries affected by war account for a disproportionate share of global polio and measles cases, often due to damaged infrastructure, interrupted cold chains, and vaccine hesitancy exacerbated by political instability and misinformation. Refugee populations, particularly children, face additional barriers such as poor access, low vaccine literacy, and economic hardship. Despite these challenges, innovative responses have emerged: mobile vaccination teams, negotiated access with armed groups, integration with other humanitarian services, and the use of digital tracking technologies have helped mitigate immunization gaps. However, these are often temporary solutions. Sustainable vaccination coverage requires not only emergency interventions but also long-term conflict resolution. Ceasefires and humanitarian pauses have allowed short-term immunization campaigns, yet their effectiveness is limited without durable peace and systemic rebuilding. The findings highlight the need for coordinated global efforts to protect immunization programs in conflict zones and to uphold vaccination as both a public health priority and a human right
Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Global health · Health care · Immunization · Measles · Misinformation · Political science · Psychological intervention · Refugee · Vaccination · Health and Conflict Studies · Hepatitis B Virus Studies · Medicine · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Immunology
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Improving emergency preparedness of subnational vaccine stores in Ukraine
Complementary role of humanitarian civil society organisations in bridging gaps in immunisation programming in conflict and crisis-affected settings
Vaccine hurdles for children in war-torn Somalia
“A single viral video can undo months of health education”
| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 7 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |