Fact Check: Children under five are particularly vulnerable to preventable diseases.

Fact Check: "Children under five are particularly vulnerable to preventable diseases."

What We Know

The claim that "children under five are particularly vulnerable to preventable diseases" is supported by a variety of data and expert opinions. According to the CDC, children under five years of age are significantly impacted by measles outbreaks, with this age group accounting for a substantial percentage of confirmed cases during recent outbreaks. For instance, in 2025, children under five represented 31% of measles cases reported in Brazil, highlighting their vulnerability to this preventable disease (source-5).

Globally, vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing diseases that disproportionately affect young children. The CDC states that about 4 million deaths are prevented each year due to childhood vaccinations, and a significant portion of these deaths could be attributed to diseases like measles, which primarily affect younger children. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, with millions of children missing vaccinations, thereby increasing their risk of preventable diseases (source-2).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from credible sources. The CDC and WHO are reputable organizations with extensive research and data on public health, particularly concerning vaccination and disease outbreaks. The statistics indicating that children under five are particularly susceptible to diseases like measles are alarming and underscore the importance of vaccination in this demographic.

Moreover, the WHO reported a significant increase in measles cases worldwide, with children under five being among the most affected. This trend is attributed to declining vaccination rates, which have left many children unprotected against preventable diseases. The WHO's findings align with the CDC's data, reinforcing the assertion that young children are at a heightened risk.

While some sources may present varying statistics or focus on different aspects of vaccine coverage, the consensus among health organizations is clear: children under five are particularly vulnerable to preventable diseases, especially in the context of declining vaccination rates and recent outbreaks.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "children under five are particularly vulnerable to preventable diseases" is substantiated by credible data and expert analysis. The evidence shows that this age group is significantly affected by diseases like measles, particularly in the context of vaccination gaps and recent outbreaks. The consensus from health organizations like the CDC and WHO further supports this claim, highlighting the critical need for vaccination to protect young children from preventable diseases.

Sources

1. Measles Cases and Outbreaks
2. Fast Facts on Global Immunization
3. Increases in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks
4. Ponsonby, New Zealand - Wikipedia
5. Measles – Region of the Americas
6. Ponsonby, Auckland - NZ Topo Map
7. Ponsonby Map. Ponsonby Street Maps, New Zealand NZ
8. Millions of children at risk as global vaccine rates fall, study