About this Episode
A global vaccination campaign led by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation has reached more than 18 million children. The “Big Catch-Up” delivered over 100 million doses across 36 countries, targeting children who missed routine vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many had never been vaccinated before.
The campaign is expected to strengthen protection against preventable diseases and reduce the risk of outbreaks, including measles and polio. Wider immunisation also lowers transmission and improves community protection.
However, vaccination coverage remains uneven. Higher rates are seen in regions such as Western Europe, North America and parts of East Asia, where routine systems are stable. Lower coverage persists in countries affected by conflict or weak health systems, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. Progress has been reported in countries like Ethiopia and Pakistan.
