A global COVID-19 recovery drive has reached about 18.3 million children across 36 countries as part of a coordinated vaccination catch-up programme led by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The initiative focuses on restoring routine immunisation services disrupted during the pandemic, with a strong emphasis on COVID-19 recovery drive interventions targeting children who missed essential vaccines. The programme also prioritises zero-dose children who have never received any routine immunisation.
The initiative, known as “The Big Catch-Up,” was launched in 2023 in response to sharp declines in childhood immunisation coverage caused by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme is part of global efforts to restore health systems and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Zero-dose children, defined as those who have not received any routine childhood vaccines, became a key focus after the pandemic widened existing immunisation gaps in low- and middle-income countries. Global health agencies identified these gaps as a major risk to child survival and disease control efforts.
According to data released by WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the COVID-19 recovery drive delivered more than 100 million vaccine doses between 2023 and 2025. These doses were administered to children aged one to five years across participating countries.
Of the 18.3 million children reached, about 12.3 million were classified as zero-dose children, meaning they had never received a single vaccine, while around 15 million had missed key vaccinations such as measles. The programme also delivered 23 million doses of inactivated polio vaccine to strengthen global eradication efforts.
Health agencies stated that the COVID-19 recovery drive is on track to meet its target of reaching at least 21 million under-immunised children, although final data collection is still ongoing. The initiative has also helped strengthen national immunisation systems by training health workers, improving tracking mechanisms, and expanding outreach services.
The 36 participating countries account for a majority of the world’s zero-dose children, with many located in regions affected by conflict, displacement, or fragile health systems. The programme expanded its focus beyond infants to include children aged one to five who had missed earlier vaccinations.
The COVID-19 recovery drive highlights ongoing global efforts to close immunisation gaps created or widened during the pandemic. Health experts note that reaching zero-dose children is critical to preventing outbreaks of diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and polio.
The initiative also underscores the importance of strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving vaccine access in underserved regions, and addressing inequality in global health delivery. Sustained investment is considered essential to maintain gains achieved through the recovery programme.
