About
The Measles & Rubella Initiative is global partnership committed to ensuring no child dies from measles or is born with congenital rubella syndrome. Founded originally as the Measles Initiative in 2001, it’s led by the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and World Health Organization.
Since 2001 the Initiative has supported 80 countries to deliver more than 1 billion doses of measles vaccine, helped to raise measles vaccination coverage to 85% globally, and reduced measles deaths by 74%. These efforts have contributed significantly to reduction in child mortality as per Millennium Development Goal 4.
From 2012, the Initiative is combining measles with rubella control and elimination efforts and supports a new 2012-2020 Global Measles & Rubella Strategic Plan.
The Measles & Rubella Initiative works with countries to provide technical and financial support to improve routine immunization, conduct successful measles and rubella campaigns and strengthen surveillance and laboratory networks. The Initiative aims to reduce measles mortality by 95% by 2015 and eliminate measles and rubella in at least five of six World Health Organization regions by 2020.
The Initiative works with a broad base of partners including including the Anne Ray Charitable Trust, BD, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the United Kingdom, GAVI, Herman and Katherine Peters Foundation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Financing Facility for Immunization, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Lions Clubs International, Merck Co. Foundation, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Vodafone Foundation
This blog is managed daily by the Measles and Rubella Initiative communications team based at the United Nations Foundation. Any feedback or questions can be sent to MeaslesRubellaInitiative@gmail.com.
