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
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
Measles mortality reduction: A successful global public health strategy
“Traveling through Africa in 2000 to assess the needs and begin to devise a plan, I was shocked to see every hospital had an entire ward for children with serious measles complications. Large numbers of beds were crowded into small areas occupied by children in their last phase of life.”
“Measles Touches Our Hearts”: Lions Clubs mobilise to help stop measles everywhere
Lions, known worldwide for their dedication to preserving sight, have joined the Measles Initiative in the effort to end measles. Through a challenge grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lions Clubs International will mobilize US$15 million to support measles campaigns through the Measles Initiative. In addition, Lions Clubs members are helping to ensure … Read more
Great practices: Five Highlights from Myanmar’s Measles Campaign
It wasn’t in the news much, but Myanmar ran a nationwide measles vaccination campaign during the last ten days of March. The objective? To reach 6.4 million kids aged 9 months to 5 years with measles vaccine. I spent last week in Myanmar monitoring the campaign which was supported by the Measles Initiative. This was … Read more
It’s all in the details: Myanmar’s measles campaign
Health workers in Myanmar are vaccinating almost six and a half million kids this week in an effort to protect all children under five from measles. Mid-way through the campaign, monitors are praising Myanmar’s efforts. “So far the campaign has been excellent,” reports Andrea Gay, director of child health at the UN Foundation and a … Read more
Yemen’s effort to stop a deadly measles outbreak
Yemen is reporting encouraging results so far in a national campaign aimed at stopping the most deadly measles outbreak in years. In the first phase of the campaign from 10-15 March, health workers planned to protect 1.5 million kids living in the areas worst affected by the outbreak. “There was a lot of energy around … Read more
Measles in 2011: devastating, surprising outbreaks and some success
Measles continued to make a disturbing comeback in 2011, with several new and ongoing outbreaks of this vaccine-preventable virus. These included outbreaks in countries with some of the best, and, some of the worst health systems in the world. Encouragingly, many countries with support of the Measles Initiative stopped measles outbreaks that had been a … Read more
Measles Initiative Hails GAVI Decision To Fund Rubella Campaigns
The following is the Measles Initiative’s statement welcoming the GAVI Alliance board’s decision on rubella and measles campaigns: 17 November 2011 Today the Measles Initiative applauds the GAVI Alliance board decision to fund rubella campaigns in the countrieswith the greatest need. The decision will result in the introduction of a combined Measles and Rubella (MR) … Read more
GAVI’s new rubella funding will protect hundreds of millions against measles and rubella
Do you know the rubella vaccine? It’s the “R” at the end of MMR – the combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella that has protected millions of people globally from illness and death. Most people reading this would have been vaccinated against rubella as a baby or possibly in adolescence. You might also know rubella … Read more
