Decoding Pediatric Vaccination Research: A Decade-long Bibliometric Analysis of Global Trends, Hotspots, and Emerging Frontiers

Abstract

Pediatric vaccination is a key component of global public health; however, the rapid growth of the literature requires a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of research trends and thematic developments. This study aimed to map pediatric vaccination research published between 2016 and 2025, focusing on publication trends, leading contributors, collaboration patterns, and evolving thematic structures. An analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-Expanded), with data retrieved on January 2, 2026. English-language articles and reviews were identified using topic-based search terms related to vaccination and pediatric populations, and irrelevant records were excluded. Co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence analyses were performed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. A total of 17 842 publications were included, showing a steady increase over time, with the highest number recorded in 2025. These publications received 302 716 citations (mean: 16.97 per paper; H-index: 166). The United States was the leading contributor, with 6915 publications (38.75%). Keyword analysis identified major thematic clusters related to immunology, infectious diseases, and pediatrics, with increasing emphasis on behavioural, social, and epidemiological dimensions. This study provides a comprehensive overview of global contributions and thematic developments in pediatric vaccination research, offering valuable insights to guide future research and policy-making.