Progress in Reducing Measles Mortality - Worldwide, 1999 - 2003

This update in the March 4, 2005 issue of Morbitity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) covers progress toward reducing global deaths from measles in half by 2005 from the 1999 start date. This report updates progress toward this goal and summarises recent recommendations on methods to estimate global measles mortality.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) created a joint Strategic Plan for Measles Mortality Reduction, 2001--2005 and in doing so targeted 45 priority countries with high measles counts. Part of the strategy included achieving high routine vaccination coverage (>90%) in every district and ensuring that all children receives a second opportunity for measles immunisation.

According to this article, as a result of accelerated measles control activities, it is estimated that global measles mortality declined 39 percent between 1999 and 2003.