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Cutts FT1 Lessler J Metcalf CJ.
Abstract
Measles and rubella are major vaccine-preventable causes of child mortality and disability. They have been eliminated from the Americas and some other regions have also come close to elimination. In this paper we review regional progress toward measles and rubella control/elimination goals describe the recent epidemiology of these infections and discuss challenges to achieving the goals. Globally measles vaccination is estimated to prevent nearly 2 million deaths each year. Despite this remarkable progress large measles outbreaks have occurred in recent years often involving older persons who were not vaccinated in earlier years. Such an occurrence would be particularly damaging for rubella control programmes as it could lead to peaks in congenital rubella syndrome. Challenges to achieving and sustaining high vaccination coverage include civil conflict weak health systems geographic cultural and economic barriers to reaching certain population groups and inadequate monitoring and use of data for action. Countries and regions aiming to eliminate measles and control rubella urgently need to improve the implementation and monitoring of both routine and mass vaccination campaign strategies.