The Big Catch-Up vaccinated 18 million children in two years — 2026-05-08

## Short Segments Alcohol consumption in the United States has reached its lowest level in 85 years, driven by a growing health consciousness among Americans. Meanwhile, Paris is taking proactive steps to prepare for extreme heat events with a large-scale stress test. And coming up, we'll explore how The Big Catch-Up initiative has successfully vaccinated millions of children worldwide. US alcohol consumption has fallen to an 85-year low, according to a recent Gallup poll. Just 54% of Americans reported drinking alcohol in 2025, marking the lowest rate since Gallup began tracking this data in 1939. This decline coincides with a rising belief that even moderate drinking is unhealthy, with 53% of Americans now holding this view. The trend reflects a broader shift towards health-conscious lifestyles, as more individuals choose to abstain from alcohol entirely. While the reasons for this decline are multifaceted, the growing awareness of alcohol's health impacts appears to be a significant factor. As Americans increasingly prioritize their health, this trend may continue, potentially influencing public health policies and alcohol-related industries. Paris recently conducted a massive stress test to prepare for future extreme heat events. Dubbed "Paris 50°," the exercise involved children, emergency workers, and city officials simulating the impacts of a severe heatwave. Participants gathered in a cool tunnel to practice responses to scenarios like food spoilage and carbon monoxide leaks, highlighting the potential chaos of such events. With Europe warming faster than the global average, Paris is taking proactive measures to safeguard its residents. This exercise underscores the city's commitment to resilience in the face of climate change, as officials work to mitigate the risks associated with rising temperatures. By involving children, Paris aims to prepare future generations for the challenges of a warming world. ## Feature Story The Big Catch-Up initiative has successfully vaccinated 18.3 million children across 36 countries, addressing the immunization gap exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched in 2023, this multi-year effort by UNICEF, Gavi, and the World Health Organization aimed to reach children who had missed routine vaccinations due to pandemic disruptions. Among the vaccinated were 12.3 million "zero-dose" children, who had never received any vaccines before. The initiative delivered over 100 million doses, primarily targeting low and lower-middle-income nations in Africa and Asia. While the program concluded in March 2026, it is on track to meet its goal of reaching 21 million children. The Big Catch-Up was a response to the pandemic's impact on global health systems, which saw millions of children miss out on essential vaccines. By restoring and strengthening immunization programs, the initiative aims to reverse the setbacks caused by COVID-19 and ensure long-term health benefits for future generations. Despite its success, challenges remain, as many infants still lack access to lifesaving vaccines. As the world continues to recover from the pandemic, efforts like The Big Catch-Up highlight the importance of global cooperation in addressing public health crises. Looking ahead, the initiative's legacy could inspire similar programs to close the immunization gap and protect vulnerable populations worldwide.