27 February 2025, Mogadishu, Somalia – On 13 February 2025, vaccination activities were launched in 4 districts of northern Somalia’s Sool region – Las Anod, Taleh, Hudun and Buuhoodle district– as part of The Big Catch-up initiative, an extended effort to lift vaccination levels among children to at least pre-COVID 19 pandemic levels.
In Somalia, The Big Catch-up began in July 2024. Launched by the Ministry of Health, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), it targets the estimated 1.5 million children under five who are either partially vaccinated or have never received any vaccines (zero-dose children). It also extends immunization efforts to adults, providing COVID-19 and tetanus vaccines.
In Sool region and Buhoodle district, 57 844 people were successfully vaccinated, including 25 519 zero-dose children and 13 697 mothers who were immunized against tetanus and diphtheria. Essential antigens used included OPV, BCG, DPT, IPV and MCV.
The vaccination drive comes at a crucial time. Communities in Sool have long faced an immunization gap which The Big Catch-up is now bridging by ensuring vulnerable populations receive life-saving vaccines.
Conflict severely disrupted access to essential immunization services, leaving thousands of children unprotected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Safiya Ahmed Mohamed, who brought her daughter Umayma to a vaccination site in Las-Anod town, is among the mothers who benefited from the initiative. Born during the conflict in Las-Anod and surrounding areas, Umayma was unable to access vaccination services. Now, at the age of 20 months, she has finally received her first vaccine.
“I’m so happy that my daughter was vaccinated today,” says Safiya. “I have older children, and I was able to get them vaccinated. But when my youngest was born there were no vaccines in our area due to the fighting. There was a gap. Vaccination always protected my other children. I’ve seen the benefits firsthand.”.
WHO and partners continue to explore strategies to reach vulnerable populations and ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against preventable diseases.
“The Big Catch-Up campaign lasted 7 intensive days in one of the areas with the highest need for vaccines. Many children here missed out on routine immunizations, and some had never been vaccinated at all. We identified significant gaps, and our goal is to close them – ensuring that no child is left behind. This was the first Big Catch-Up drive conducted in the Sool region, following 2 successful polio campaigns. We are also working with our partners to restore routine immunization, and are planning a measles and PCV integrated campaign to reach children and communities still in need. We are grateful to the local community and our partners for their commitment to delivering life-saving vaccines to those who need them most,” said WHO Somalia’s Coordinator for Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Dr Gedi Mohamed.
Somalia continues to make strides in expanding immunization coverage and The Big Catch-up has been instrumental in reaching unvaccinated children, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas, helping to ensure that no child is left behind.
The advances in immunization are the result of strong collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health of Somalia, WHO Somalia, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF Somalia and other key partners. Their collective commitment to expanding routine immunization and conducting targeted vaccination campaigns is helping to ensure that children across Somalia, including those in conflict-affected and underserved areas, receive the protection they need.
For additional information, please contact:
Khadar Hared,
Communication Officer,
WHO Somalia.
Tel: +252619800011
Email:
