Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination - Worldwide, 2000-2016

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• The fourth United Nations Millennium Development Goal aimed to reduce child mortality by 2015, with measles vaccination coverage as a key indicator.
• The World Health Assembly (WHA) established measles control milestones for 2015, including increased vaccination coverage, reduced incidence, and decreased mortality.
• The Global Vaccine Action Plan set objectives for measles elimination by 2015 and 2020, adopted by countries worldwide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update progress on global measles control milestones and regional elimination goals from 2000 to 2016.
• To assess the impact of measles vaccination on reducing mortality and incidence.
• To identify challenges and recommend strategies for achieving measles elimination.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of global measles incidence and mortality data from 2000 to 2016.
• Estimation of measles deaths averted by vaccination.
• Review of progress towards WHA measles control milestones and regional elimination goals.

Main Results:

• Annual reported measles incidence decreased by 87% (from 145 to 19 cases per million).
• Annual estimated measles deaths decreased by 84% (from 550,100 to 89,780).
• Measles vaccination prevented an estimated 20.4 million deaths, but 2015 milestones were not met, with only one WHO region verified for elimination.

Conclusions:

• Significant progress has been made in global measles control, largely due to vaccination efforts.
• Achieving measles elimination requires increased vaccination coverage, strengthened surveillance, sustained investment, and political commitment.
• Enhanced implementation of elimination strategies is crucial to meet global measles elimination targets.