Global Vaccination Initiative Reaches Over 100 Million Children

Apr 24, 2026

63 min

Apr 24, 2026 03:32

Largest catch-up initiative delivers over 100 million childhood vaccinations

## Major Vaccination Effort Targets Immunization Gaps

A significant global vaccination campaign, known as The Big Catch-Up (BCU), has successfully provided over 100 million vaccine doses to children across 36 countries. This initiative, launched to address the decline in vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has reached approximately 18.3 million children aged 1 to 5 between 2023 and 2025.

## Focus on "Zero-Dose" Children

Of the children reached, around 12.3 million were identified as "zero-dose" children, meaning they had not received any vaccines previously. Additionally, 15 million children had not received a measles vaccine. The program also distributed 23 million doses of inactivated polio vaccine to children who were either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.

## Achievements and Future Goals

The initiative concluded in March 2026 and is on track to meet its goal of reaching at least 21 million un- and under-immunized children. However, health agencies emphasize that while catch-up vaccination efforts are crucial, expanding routine immunization programs is essential for sustainable protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

## World Immunization Week Campaign

Coinciding with World Immunization Week from April 24 to 30, 2026, WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi are promoting a campaign titled "For every generation, vaccines work." This campaign urges countries to maintain and enhance vaccination coverage for all age groups.

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