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Frequently Used Figures for Measles:
Global deaths due to measles fell by 48 per cent, from more than 870 000 in 1999 to an estimated 454 000 in 2004. The largest reduction occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest burden of the disease, where estimated measles cases and deaths dropped by 60 per cent.
This significant reduction in measles deaths is in large part due to supplementary immunization from 1999 to 2004, to immunize nearly 500 million children against measles. Given the progress made to date and with continued work and commitment, the 2005 global measles mortality reduction goal to cut measles deaths by half was reached in 2005.
Measles remains a leading cause of death among young children, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for the past 40 years. An estimated 454 000 people, 410 000 children under age five, died from measles in 2004.
Immunization coverage rates for measles vaccination vary significantly by region. UNICEF and WHO estimate that the global average for routine measles immunization coverage was 76 per cent in 2004. Lower measles vaccination coverage rates were reported in Africa South of the Sahara, South and South-East Asia and the Middle East and North, the regions with the highest measles disease burden.
The overwhelming majority (> 95 per cent) of measles deaths occur in countries with per capita Gross National Income of less than US $1000. In countries where measles has been largely eliminated, cases imported from other countries remain an important source of infection.
Measles Mortality Reduction Strategy - Frequently Used Figures
UNICEF and WHO have concentrated measles mortality reduction activities in 47 countries that account for about 98 per cent of global measles deaths, working primarily to improve routine immunization as well as providing treatment to children with measles and strengthening disease surveillance. Supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) have also proven to be especially effective.
A key factor contributing to progress in reducing measles deaths has been the strong support of the Measles Initiative - a partnership established by ARC, CDC (USA), UNF, UNICEF and WHO as the key founding members that dedicates to funding and facilitates wide-age range national measles campaigns (so called catch-up campaigns). Since 2001, the Initiative has supported vaccination efforts in over 40 African countries and raised more than US$200 million with help from partners such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization. The Initiative is expanding its technical and financial support to South Asian countries, where total measles deaths are highest outside sub-Saharan Africa. It will also continue the successful child health campaigns in which health workers provide not only measles vaccine but also polio vaccine, insecticide-treated nets for malaria prevention, vitamin A and de-worming tablets.
All children in developing countries diagnosed with measles should receive two doses of vitamin A supplements given 24 hours apart. Giving vitamin A at the time of diagnosis can help prevent eye damage and blindness. Moreover, vitamin A supplementation has been shown to reduce the number of deaths from measles by 50 per cent.
Suffering, complications and death caused by measles can be easily prevented through immunization. The measles vaccine is safe, effective and inexpensive. It costs less than one US dollar (consisting of cost of vaccine, injection equipment and operational costs) to immunize a child against measles, making measles vaccination one of the most cost-effective public health interventions available for preventing deaths.
Measles immunization carries the highest health return for the money spent saving more lives per unit cost. The vaccine, which has been available for more than 40 years, costs about US$0.30 per dose ($0.15 for the vaccine itself and $0.15 for the safe injection equipment) if procured through UNICEF.
In May 2003, the 56th World Health Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to reduce measles deaths by 50 per cent by the end of 2005 compared to 1999 levels. This goal was established a year earlier by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children "World Fit for Children". In May 2005, the 58th World Health Assembly adopted the WHO/UNICEF Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS). GIVS calls on countries to reduce global measles deaths by 90 per cent by 2010 compared to 2000 estimates. The United Nations Millennium Declaration also set a child survival target: to reduce the under-five child mortality rate by two-thirds by the year 2015 compared with 1990 levels. Routine measles vaccination coverage is used as an indicator for this target.
