Over 100 million vaccine doses given to kids since 2023

A big global push that started last year made sure more than 100 million vaccine shots reached young kids across 36 countries. The effort focused on children aged one to five who either missed vaccines or never got them before. By March, about 12 million kids who had zero shots before finally got protected against diseases like diphtheria and polio. The campaign, called The Big Catch-Up, aimed to reach at least 21 million kids behind on immunizations. So far, early reports suggest it’s on track, but not all data is in yet. The push came just as some countries, including the U. S. , started cutting funding for global health. That’s worrying because millions of infants still miss their routine vaccines every year, making them easy targets for preventable diseases like measles and polio.The problem got worse in places facing wars or conflicts. In 2023 alone, nearly 15 million children didn’t get basic vaccines, and in some areas, immunization rates dropped sharply. Experts warn that reducing support could erase years of progress. One health leader said funding cuts are already making it harder to deliver vaccines, risking a step backward in global health.