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Measles eradication report from the WHO Secretariat to the WHA
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA63/A63_18-en.pdf
Excerpts from the Secretariat report to the WHA:
26. Measles eradication is achievable. One WHO region has sustained measles elimination for the past seven years and four of the five remaining WHO regions have set an elimination goal to be achieved by 2020 or earlier.
28. The Secretariat has commissioned analytical work on measures to strengthen immunization systems and on the economic aspects of measles eradication activities. The aim is to strengthen information resources and thereby enhance the advice which the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts
29. Global measles targets for 2015 are proposed as milestones towards global eradication of measles. These include achievement of the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy’s goal to increase vaccination coverage as well as targets for reduction of incidence and mortality:
• exceed 90% coverage with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine nationally and exceed 80% vaccination coverage in every district or equivalent administrative unit;
• reduce annual measles incidence to less than five cases per million and maintain that level;
30. Achievement of these targets would build on progress made towards the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy coverage goal, would be the basis for controlling other vaccine-preventable diseases and would lay the groundwork for a future measles eradication goal.
Further political and financial commitment is therefore required.
About 20 delegates took the floor during the discussion and endorsed targets set for 2015 as milestones towards the eventual global eradication of measles. Member States were encouraged by the progress made in controlling measles, but also highlighted the formidable challenges that need to be addressed to achieve the 2015 targets. These include:
Success in achieving the measles 2015 targets is essential if the MDG 4 - reduce child mortality - is to be reached.