WHO launches ‘The Big Catch-Up’ to restore immunization progress lost during pandemic

Source: The post is based on the article “WHO launches ‘The Big Catch-Up’ to restore immunization progress lost during pandemic” published in Down To Earth on 27th April 2023

What is the News?

Several public health organizations have come together to launch The Big Catch-up Initiative.

What is the Big Catch-up Initiative?

Launched by: World Health Organization, UNICEF, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, along with Immunization Agenda 2030 and a host of other public health organizations.

Purpose: It is a targeted global effort to boost vaccination among children following declines driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Target countries: The initiative will pay special attention to the 20 countries which are home to a majority of the children who have missed their vaccine doses. 

– India is among these 20 countries where around 75% of children have missed essential immunization against preventable but critical diseases in 2021, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

– The disruption has already led to outbreaks of such diseases, including measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever becoming more prevalent and severe.

Major activities under the initiative: Strengthen healthcare workforces, improve health service delivery, build demand for vaccines, and address obstacles to restoring immunization.