The Yemeni Ministry of Public Health and Population accused the Houthi militia of obstructing the arrival of childhood vaccines and immunization services in areas under their control. It warned of the consequences of the continued disruption of immunization campaigns, which could deprive about five million children of routine vaccinations and increase the risks of the resurgence of preventable diseases.

The ministry announced in a press statement on (Friday) that circulating reports indicate a lack of childhood vaccines in several health facilities under Houthi control, emphasizing that immunization is a fundamental health right for every child, and that vaccines should not be politicized or used as a means of pressure, as the first victims are the children.

It confirmed that the disruption of immunization services in those areas is due to ongoing restrictions and interventions that have affected the work of the national immunization program and health sector partners, including the disruption of vaccination campaigns, imposing restrictions on the movement of health teams, and interfering with the work of humanitarian organizations, in addition to the repercussions of detaining several United Nations and international organization employees, which has led to the reduction or suspension of some health and humanitarian activities.

According to the ministry's statement, vaccines designated for all governorates of Yemen, including areas under Houthi control, are available with health sector partners according to international supply mechanisms; however, the imposed obstacles to receiving, transporting, and distributing them have prevented their arrival to the targeted children.

The Ministry of Health indicated its readiness to coordinate with the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), and health sector partners to ensure the provision of vaccines for all children in various governorates, calling for the necessary guarantees to deliver, store, and distribute them according to international medical standards.

The ministry urged health personnel in Sana'a and the governorates under Houthi control to cooperate with international organizations to facilitate the arrival of vaccines, medicines, and medical supplies, demanding that health teams and humanitarian organizations be allowed safe access to health facilities and that detained United Nations and humanitarian organization employees be released, enabling the full resumption of health and humanitarian activities.

The ministry warned that the continued disruption of immunization services would lead to widening immunity gaps and the resurgence of diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus, considering this a threat to public health in Yemen that could extend its effects to neighboring countries. The ministry urged parents to complete their children's vaccination doses according to the national immunization schedule, affirming that the vaccines are safe, effective, and free, and renewing its commitment to protecting children's health across the country.