13th November, 2015
The world health body made the call in a new data it released for the Measles and Rubella Initiative on Friday.
The data showed that the number of measles-related deaths had decreased by 79 per cent from 546, 800 at the beginning of the century to 114,900 in 2014.
It estimated that 17.1 million lives had been saved since 2000, largely due to increased vaccination coverage against the highly-contagious viral disease.
However, the new data showed that overall progress toward increasing global immunisation coverage had recently stagnated.
It noted that while coverage with the first dose of the measles vaccine increased globally from 72 per cent to 85 per cent between 2000 and 2010, it remained unchanged in the past four years.
The data quoted Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele, the Director of WHO’s Department of Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals, as saying “we cannot afford to drop our guard.
“If children miss routine vaccination and are not reached by national immunisation campaigns, we will not close the immunisation gap.
“Based on current trends of measles vaccination coverage and incidence, the 2015 global milestones and measles elimination goals set by WHO member states will not be achieved on time.’’
The report said that all countries included at least one dose of measles-containing vaccine in their routine vaccination schedule.
However, only 122, about 63 per cent had met the target of at least 90 per cent of children vaccinated with a first dose.
The report also said only half of the world’s children were receiving the recommended second dose of the vaccine.
It added that measles was highly infectious and strong and sustained efforts were needed to maintain the current level of control.
This would require some actions such as changes in policies and practices in high-burden countries, vaccination and surveillance efforts to be funded, maintained and strengthened.
The report also quoted Dr Seth Berkley, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said “a coordinated approach that puts stronger routine immunisation at its core will be central to getting measles under control.
“It will also secure further reductions in mortality from this vaccine-preventable disease.’’
According to the world body, measles is a highly contagious viral disease which affects mostly children and transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.
It said “initial symptoms, which usually appear between 10 and 12 days after infection, include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth.
“Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards and there is no specific treatment for measles; most people recover within two to three weeks.
“However, particularly in malnourished children and people with reduced immunity, measles can cause serious complications including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection, pneumonia and death.
“Measles vaccination has played a key role in reducing child mortality and in progress toward Millennium Development Goal 4,’’ the WHO said.