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UN Reports 21 Million Child Vaccination Target On Track; 12.3 Million Were Zero-Dose Children

Social IssuesHealth & EducationPolitySUPPORT
Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
25 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:21 million target12.3 million zero-dose children15 million missed measles vaccineThree-year effort
Bodies:United Nations (UN)
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What This Article Covers

1.A three-year UN-led drive to immunize children who missed routine vaccinations due to COVID-19 is progressing to meet its 21 million target.

2.The campaign has also improved immunization systems, enhancing their ability to identify and reach previously missed children.

3.Strategic Focus: The data on 'zero-dose' children (12.3 million) and those missed for measles (15 million) is a high-yield fact for preliminary exams.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

A major UN-led global immunization effort is on track to reach 21 million children who missed routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative is critical for closing the immunity gap and includes millions who had never received any vaccine dose, highlighting its role in strengthening public health systems for future crises.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Target Children21 million
Zero-Dose Children Reached12.3 million
Children Missed for Measles15 million
Drive DurationThree-year effort

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total Target Children: 21 million
  • ›Zero-Dose Children Reached: 12.3 million
  • ›Target this Data: 21 million children targeted; 12.3 million were zero-dose.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: United Nations (coordinating the global drive).
  • ›Target this Context: The drive is a three-year effort to counter COVID-19 disruption.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which global body reported that the child vaccine catch-up drive is on course to hit its target?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the child vaccine catch-up drive reported by the UN:

1. The drive is a three-year effort aimed at immunizing children who missed routine vaccinations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

2. Among the children reached, an estimated 15 million had never received any vaccine dose before.

3. The initiative has also improved immunization programmes' ability to identify older children who missed earlier doses.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the UN report on the child vaccine catch-up drive, how many of the children reached were estimated to have never received a vaccine dose before?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a key secondary benefit of the global vaccine catch-up drive, as highlighted in the report?

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