The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a significant achievement in its Big Catch-Up Initiative, which has delivered over 100 million childhood vaccine doses across 36 countries. Launched during World Immunisation Week in 2023, this initiative aims to recover from the sharp decline in routine vaccinations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left millions of children unprotected against preventable diseases. In 2021 alone, over 25 million children missed at least one routine vaccine dose, leading to increased risks of outbreaks of diseases like measles and polio.

The Big Catch-Up focuses on 'zero-dose' children, those who have never received any vaccines, and has successfully reached approximately 12.3 million such children. The initiative employs a multi-faceted approach, including data-driven identification of unvaccinated children, strengthening routine immunisation systems, and engaging communities to build trust in vaccines. While the program has made significant strides in closing immunity gaps and preventing disease outbreaks, challenges remain, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Experts emphasize the need for sustained investment and robust health systems to ensure ongoing vaccination efforts and protect future generations.