Sophie and Olive draw their week in India
When it comes to people in India, there are only big numbers. More than 1.2 billion people live in the country, and about 27 million children are born there every year. For measles control, India is also thinking big. Health workers are in the final phases of vaccinating 134 million kids from ages 9 months to … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
