By Reindeer, Jeep and on Foot: Reaching Every Child in Mongolia
A remarkable photo story shows the efforts of health workers in Mongolia as they strive to reach every child with the measles and rubella vaccine. At times travelling by jeep, reindeer, rope-drawn ferry and foot, workers attempt to immunize nomadic herder communities who account for a quarter of the country’s children. The campaign, led by … Read more
WHO issues updated guidance on verifying the elimination of measles and rubella
Revised guidance on verifying the elimination of measles and rubella, and monitoring progress in at least 5 WHO Regions by 2020, is the focus of a framework prepared by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE). The updated guidance, published in WHO’s Weekly Epidemiological Record today, draws on the experience gained in Regions … Read more
Two Mekong Countries Make Huge Progress Against Measles
Lao and Cambodia, two of the poorest countries in the Western Pacific Region, have made significant progress towards measles elimination by achieving high levels of vaccination coverage. The Government of Lao recently recognized the World Health Organization and Unicef, lead partners of the Measles & Rubella Initiative with an award for their work against measles … Read more
Measles deaths decline but 20 million children still unprotected
The Measles & Rubella Initiative helped to reach over 225 million children through mass vaccination campaigns in 2011 alone, contributing to a 71% drop in global measles deaths in just over a decade. New data released this week shows that progress against measles is due to increased vaccination coverage which has resulted in a 58% … Read more
Lions Clubs: an insider perspective on their fight against measles
Just over two years ago, the Lions Clubs International Foundation became an active partner in the fight against measles – to mobilize communities, advocate for leadership and raise funds. Their tireless work has been crucial in ensuring that measles vaccines reach families who need them most. In October 2011, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation challenged … Read more
Kenya surpasses 95% target as nearly 6 million children are vaccinated in nationwide measles campaign
Text by Zorodzai Machekanyanga, WHO Photos courtesy of the Kenyan Red Cross Kenya conducted its nationwide measles Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIAs) successfully from 3 to 7 November 2012, and vaccinated nearly 6 million children aged 9 to 59 months, reporting 99% coverage. In addition to measles vaccine, all targeted children were given supplemental doses of Vitamin A. … Read more
Afghanistan takes action to prevent repeat measles outbreak
Four months since the end of the 1st phase of the emergency nationwide measles vaccination campaign, and WHO Afghanistan reports a notable decline in the number of measles cases. More than six million children between nine months and 10 years were vaccinated in July spanning 16 provinces, following a measles outbreak last year where 300 … Read more
Lions Clubs and Gates Foundation collaboration raise a staggering US$15 million in fight against measles
The Measles & Rubella Initiative would like to congratulate the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) for their remarkable efforts in raising US$10 million towards helping to eliminate the disease. In October 2011, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation challenged Lions to raise US$10 million for measles. To help Lions in this effort, the Gates Foundation donated … Read more
Schools, communities rally to reach more than 6.4 million Zambian children with measles vaccine
By Mark Maseko, Communication Officer, UNICEF Zambia More than 6.4 million children in Zambia aged between 6 months and 15 years – 46% of the population – had an opportunity to receive the life-saving measles vaccination during a week-long national campaign in mid-September. Schools, strong social mobilization and grassroots-level involvement Schools were fully involved in … Read more
