What is the WHO's Big Catch-Up initiative?

The Big Catch-Up is a global immunization recovery program by the WHO aimed at restoring and exceeding pre-pandemic vaccination coverage, focusing on zero-dose children and those who missed routine vaccines.

How many vaccine doses has the Big Catch-Up delivered?

The initiative has delivered over 100 million vaccine doses to children worldwide.

Why was the Big Catch-Up initiative needed?

It was needed because the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to routine immunization services, leading to millions of children missing critical vaccines and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Home / Health / WHO's Big Catch-Up Hits 100 Million Vaccine Milestone

WHO's Big Catch-Up Hits 100 Million Vaccine Milestone

24 Apr

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Summary

Over 100 million vaccine doses delivered to children worldwide.
Initiative focused on zero-dose children and those missing vaccines.
Reached 18.3 million children aged 1-5 in 36 countries since 2023.

WHO's Big Catch-Up Hits 100 Million Vaccine Milestone

The World Health Organization's "The Big Catch-Up" initiative has achieved a significant milestone, administering over 100 million vaccine doses to children worldwide. This global immunization recovery drive was launched in 2023 to counteract disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to a decline in routine vaccinations.

The initiative specifically targeted "zero-dose" children, those who have never received any vaccine, and millions more who missed essential immunizations. Between 2023 and early 2026, the program aimed to reach 18.3 million children aged one to five across 36 countries.