The Big Catch-Up: Syria Launches Initiative to Vaccinate Millions of Children Missed During COVID-19 Pandemic

• Big Catch-Up Initiative: Syria launches the second phase of the Big Catch-Up campaign to vaccinate approximately 2 million children under five, addressing declines in vaccination rates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Key Activities: The campaign includes screening by over 7,500 health workers, a measles vaccination push, and community engagement to boost awareness. The goal is to improve vaccination coverage and restore pre-pandemic immunization levels.
• Results and Future Plans: The first round saw significant progress with 1.8 million children receiving oral polio vaccines and 1 million receiving vitamin A. The next round is planned for October 2024, with ongoing support from WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi to strengthen Syria’s immunization infrastructure.

The Big Catch-Up: Syria Launches Initiative to Vaccinate Millions of Children Missed During COVID-19 Pandemic

Damascus, 23 July 2024 – In a major health initiative, the Syrian Ministry of Health (MOH), supported by WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has launched the second phase of the Big Catch-Up vaccination campaign. This initiative aims to address the significant decline in childhood vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic due to overburdened health systems and disrupted access to medical care.

Overview of the Initiative

Launched by global health partners in April 2023, the Big Catch-Up seeks to recover and enhance childhood vaccination rates globally. In Syria, the first phase began in April 2023, and the current second phase aims to reach approximately 2 million children under five. This initiative will involve screening for vaccination status and administering vaccines to over 300,000 children.

Key Activities and Targets

• Vaccination Screening and Administration: Over 7,500 health workers have been deployed to fixed sites and mobile vaccination teams across selected areas. The goal is to screen around 2 million children and vaccinate those in need.
• Measles Vaccination Campaign: This specific campaign will target about 2 million children under five, regardless of their previous vaccination status, across 68 out of 107 districts. These districts were chosen based on their vaccination coverage rates and reported cases of outbreaks.
• Community Engagement: To promote vaccination, MOH Syria and partners are engaging community leaders, utilizing social and mass media, and collaborating with influencers to raise awareness and encourage participation.

Vaccination Coverage and Goals

According to WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), Syria’s coverage for the first dose of the measles-containing vaccine improved to 74% in 2023, up from 52% in 2022. However, this remains below the pre-pandemic level of 76% and the 95% coverage required to curb measles outbreaks.

Statements from Key Partners

Véronique Maeva Fages, Senior Country Manager for Syria at Gavi, emphasized the broader aims of the initiative: “The Big Catch-Up initiative in Syria is not only an opportunity to immunize and protect all children up to five years old, including zero-dose children, but also aimed at strengthening routine immunization from planning to service delivery and monitoring systems. Gavi and our partners are committed to supporting the Ministry of Health towards a strong and resilient national immunization programme, which is the essential pillar for combating disease outbreaks.”

UNICEF Representative in Syria, Yasumasa Kimura, highlighted the initiative’s critical role in overcoming pandemic-induced setbacks: “The Big Catch-Up initiative is a vital step in overcoming the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and building a stronger, more resilient health system. UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Syrian Ministry of Health and our partners in this critical effort to safeguard the future of children in Syria.”

Dr. Iman Shankiti, acting WHO Representative to Syria, reiterated the commitment to strengthening the immunization program: “Our commitment to the Syrian people is unwavering, and we stand together with our health partners to strengthen the immunization programme as a cornerstone of achieving universal health coverage.”

Results from the First Round

In the first round, the initiative managed to screen over 1.8 million children’s vaccination statuses. Zero-dose and unvaccinated children received the necessary vaccines, with 1.8 million receiving the oral polio vaccine (bOPV) and 1 million receiving vitamin A.

Future Plans

The second round of the Big Catch-Up coincides with a high-level mission by WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi to Syria. This mission aims to evaluate the current immunization program and discuss sustainable solutions for vaccine procurement and financing. The next round of the Big Catch-Up is scheduled for October 2024.

Syria is among 35 countries conducting Big Catch-Up activities to address pandemic-induced gaps in vaccination coverage and mitigate increased outbreaks.

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The Big Catch-Up initiative represents a significant effort to restore and enhance childhood immunization rates in Syria, addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By collaborating with global health partners and engaging local communities, the Syrian Ministry of Health aims to protect millions of children from preventable diseases and strengthen the country’s immunization infrastructure for the future.