Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination - Worldwide 2000-2015

Tuesday, 15th of November 2016

“Measles cases have declined over the years due to concerted effort in reaching children with measles vaccines through routine immunization and SIAs. However the stagnation in coverage from 2009 is cause for concern. The six large countries contributing to the largest number of cases (India, Nigeria, Ethiopia, DRC, Pakistan and Indonesia) need concerted efforts in reaching every child. Pilot  studies done in 5 countries (Bangladesh, Guatemala, Kenya,  Nigeria, Zimbabwe) have shown an impact on reduction of dropout by use of cellphone applications. Implementation of SMS reminder activities may be necessary to reduce dropouts and increase coverage. There is a need to target countries which are ready to scale up, especially those with large numbers of under-vaccinated children. Within countries, targeting of provinces/regions/districts with highest dropout rates may be cost effective.

 

During campaigns, Red Cross volunteers have also implemented house to house mobilization to create awareness and monitor children for vaccination. This has also shown an impact especially in large cities with informal settlements where many children lack access to routine vaccination services. There are advantages in the house visits such as updated household data, data on mothers’ precampaign knowledge of the campaign, data on zero dose measles vaccinees, and reminders to mothers of the need to finish the series.  

 

Below is an article in MMWR on progress toward regional measles elimination – Worldwide 2000-2015 which shows measles incidence decreased 75% from 146 to 36 cases per 1 million population and an increase in number of countries providing the second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) nationally through routine immunization services increased to 160 (82%) in 2015 and global MCV2 coverage was 61%.

 

For full report and graphic information use URL http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6544a6.htm

Best regards

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Nov 11;65(44):1228-1233. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6544a6.

Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination - Worldwide 2000-2015.

Patel MK Gacic-Dobo M Strebel PM Dabbagh A Mulders MN Okwo-Bele JM Dumolard L Rota PA Kretsinger K Goodson JL.

Abstract

Adopted in 2000 United Nations Millennium Development Goal 4 set a target to reduce child mortality by two thirds by 2015 with measles vaccination coverage as one of the progress indicators. In 2010 the World Health Assembly (WHA) set three milestones for measles control by 2015: 1) increase routine coverage with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) for children aged 1 year to ≥90% nationally and ≥80% in every district; 2) reduce global annual measles incidence to <5 cases per 1 million population; and 3) reduce global measles mortality by 95% from the 2000 estimate (12).* In 2012 WHA endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan^† with the objective to eliminate measles in four World Health Organization (WHO) regions by 2015. Countries in all six WHO regions have adopted measles elimination goals. Measles elimination is the absence of endemic measles transmission in a region or other defined geographical area for ≥12 months in the presence of a well performing surveillance system. This report updates a previous report (3) and describes progress toward global measles control milestones and regional measles elimination goals during 2000-2015. During this period annual reported measles incidence decreased 75% from 146 to 36 cases per 1 million persons and annual estimated measles deaths decreased 79% from 651600 to 134200. However none of the 2015 milestones or elimination goals were met. Countries and their partners need to act urgently to secure political commitment raise the visibility of measles increase vaccination coverage strengthen surveillance and mitigate the threat of decreasing resources for immunization once polio eradication is achieved.