| Measles
A simple vaccination saves millions
of lives
Measles is one of the most contagious
diseases in children. A simple vaccination costing less than
one US dollar can prevent cases and deaths in children. In
1999, more than one million children died from measles. With
the inauguration of the Measles Initiative in 2001, there
have been dramatic decreases in childhood deaths globally.
From 1 million deaths annually in 1999,
fewer than 450,000 in 2004 and decreasing rapidly with more
nationwide vaccination campaigns completed in 2005 and 2006.
More information on the dramatic reduction of childhood deaths
is available in the International Federation’s 2008
document "Partnering
for community impact".
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Zambia: vaccinating saves
lives
A child in Zambia is
vaccinated against measles. A simple vaccination costing
less than one US dollar can prevent cases and deaths in
children. |
Building a partnership: the Measles
Initiative
Launched in February 2001, the Measles
Initiative is a long-term commitment to prevent childhood
deaths by vaccinating more than 350 million children and decreasing
childhood deaths by more than 80% by 2015. This effort alone
is expected to contribute significantly to achieving the Millenium
Development Goal – Reducing childhood deaths by two-thirds
by 2015.
Leading this effort is the American Red
Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF,
and WHO.
Other key partners are the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation, The
Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, the Global
Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and countries
and governments affected by measles. For more information
about the Measles Initiative log on to www.measlesinitiative.org
The International Federation’s
role
The International Federation’s
annual measles appeals provide funds to enable National Societies
to participate in their national vaccination campaigns which
occur once every three years. Since 2001, more than 3 million
Swiss francs have enabled 40 National Societies to support
campaigns with 80,000 Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers.
By the end of 2006, these campaigns reached more than 240
million children.
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The vital role of our volunteers
Since 2001, more than
80,000 Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers have helped their
National Societies run measles vaccination campaigns.
By the end of 2006, these campaigns reached more than
240 million children. |
Reports
and publications
 |
Partnering
for community impact - the incredible reduction in measles mortality
and overcoming the last barriers to polio eradication,
2000-2007 report (1.8 Mb, 52 pages) |
 |
International
Federation Measles and Polio - Africa Health Initiative,
Report 2006-2007
(233 Kb, 6 pages) |
 |
National
integrated child survival campaign follow-up survey, Sierra
Leone, January 2007
(13 Mb, 6 pages) |
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Global
goal to reduce measles deaths in children surpassed: measles
deaths fall by 60 per cent (Measles Initiative web
site) |
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Effects
of Measles-Control Activities: African Region 1999-2005
(Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Centers for Disease
and Control Prevention) |
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Zambia
case study - Integrated measles-malaria campaign, 2004
(545 kb, 22 pages) |
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