The Big Catch-Up: Syria rolls out initiative to reach millions of children missed during COVID-19 pandemic

The Syrian Ministry of Health (MOH), supported by WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has launched the second round of Big Catch-Up vaccination activity this week.

The Big Catch-Up is an initiative launched by global health partners in April 2023 to address the decline in childhood vaccination rates observed during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of overburdened health systems and disrupted access to medical care. This is the second phase in Syria, following an initial phase in April this year. 

During this round, about 2 million children under the age of five are targeted to be screened, and more than 300,000 are expected to be vaccinated with different childhood vaccines. The activity aims to reach children through fixed sites and mobile vaccination teams across the selected areas of coverage, with over 7,500 health workers deployed. 

Additionally, a measles vaccination campaign will be conducted in 68 districts (out of 107) targeting about 2 million children under the age of five regardless of their vaccination status. The implementing districts were selected based on their vaccine coverage rates as well as reported cases of outbreaks.

WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) indicate that in 2023, Syria’s coverage of the first dose of measles-containing vaccine rose to 74%, up from 52% in the previous year (2022) but still lower compared to pre-pandemic levels, at 76%. Curbing measles outbreaks requires a coverage rate of at least 95%. 

To ensure uptake, MOH Syria and partners are also rolling out proactive community engagement activities to promote vaccination of children, including through partnership with community leaders, social and mass media, as well as other influencers. 

“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 is also aimed at strengthening routine immunization from planning to service delivery and to monitoring systems. Gavi and our partners are committed to continue supporting the Ministry of Health towards a strong and resilient national immunization programme, which is the essential pillar for combating disease outbreaks,” said Véronique Maeva Fages, the Senior Country Manager for Syria at Gavi.

“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,” said Yasumasa Kimura, UNICEF Representative in Syria.

Dr Iman Shankiti, acting WHO Representative to Syria, echoed and emphasized the importance of these efforts: “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.”

Through global catch-up efforts supported by Gavi and other donors, partners aim to help lower-income countries close immunization gaps, restore immunization coverage to pre-pandemic levels, and strengthen immunization systems in the longer term.

In Syria, the first round managed to screen the vaccination status of more than 1.8 million children and vaccinated zero-dose and unvaccinated children with the needed vaccines. Additionally, 1.8 million received the oral polio vaccine (bOPV) and 1 million received vitamin A regardless of their vaccination status.

Around 7,500 health workers and vaccinators were deployed to more than 1,000 sites to screen children’s vaccination status and immunize those who were unvaccinated.

The campaign week for the second round coincides with a joint high-level mission by WHO, UNICEF and Gavi to Syria, which is aimed at understanding the status of the current immunization programme and continuing a dialogue on longer term sustainable solutions in vaccine procurement and financing. The next round of the Big Catch-Up initiative is slated for October this year.

Syria is one of 35 countries currently conducting Big Catch-Up activities aimed at addressing gaps in coverage caused by the pandemic that have led to increased outbreaks. 

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