50 years: measles vaccine protects multiple millions
In this age of next-generation smartphones and tablets, how many 50-year old inventions are still relevant? The measles vaccine was licensed half a century ago in the United States. Today it’s used in every single country of the world, and about 110 million babies receive their first dose by the time they turn one. Tens … Read more
New Measles & Rubella Initiative 2012 Annual Report & Outbreak Fund
Quick look: The Measles & Rubella Initiative Annual Report 2012 Dear Friends, As we embark on World Immunization Week 2013, we’re reminded of the successes and potential benefits of immunization, and of the tremendous work we still have before us. Within the broader immunization agenda, the world has made firm commitments to reduce measles deaths, and … Read more
Rwanda will protect almost 5 million against measles and rubella this week
Rwanda’s measles-rubella vaccination campaign, which is being launched today, is the beginning of an effort to vaccinate more than 700 million children under 15 years of age against two disabling and deadly diseases. The combined measles-rubella vaccine will be introduced in 49 countries by 2020 thanks to financial support from the GAVI Alliance. The support … 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
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
Inspired leadership for measles & rubella elimination
We can “literally change the fate of millions of children around the world,” said Gail McGovern, as she opened the Measles & Rubella Initiative’s Partnership meeting in Washington D.C on September 18th. The President and CEO of the American Red Cross went on to praise the strategy to combat two diseases – measles and rubella – … Read more
Introducing Robert Kezaala, Head of Measles & Rubella, UNICEF
Through his work in EPI, measles and polio, Dr. Robert Kezaala is well known to many in the field of immunization. Unicef recently welcomed him as head of its measles and rubella programme, where he’ll be working closely with partners of the Measles & Rubella Initiative. Before his Unicef appointment Robert served as a Medical … Read more
Fiji and measles: from devastation to elimination
The graves are still there, silent, beneath century-old trees. In 1875 Fijians buried one-third of their population – all dead as a result of measles. At the time “death drums sounded incessantly in seemingly deserted villages,” and “graves were only half dug because no one had the strength to dig.” Dr. David Morens’ classic 1998 … Read more
Afghanistan vaccinates over 5.7 million children in combined measles and polio campaign
The coverage results are in, and show that the first round of a vaccination campaign in Afghanistan has already reached a remarkable 5.7 million children with measles vaccine. In mid-July, more than 27,000 health workers, volunteers and community mobilizers spanned 16 provinces in Afghanistan in a week-long drive to help stop transmission of measles and … Read more
