The Journal of infectious diseases
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In 1997, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) of the World Health Organization adopted a resolution to eliminate measles by 2010. Of the 23 EMR member countries, 18 are polio-free and are building on this success to eliminate measles. The 5 countries where polio remains endemic are prioritizing polio eradication and working to improve measles control. ⋯ More than 50 million children have been immunized in these supplemental activities. However, in Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and Pakistan, where 34% of the EMR population live, routine vaccination coverage for measles remains below 60% and measles deaths are estimated at 81,000 annually among children <5 years old. Significant resources must be allocated to these last 5 countries to achieve regional measles elimination by 2010.
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Despite achieving and sustaining global measles vaccination coverage of about 80% over the past decade, worldwide measles remains the fifth leading cause of mortality among children aged <5 years. In May 2002, the United Nations Special Session on Children endorsed the goal of reducing measles deaths by half by 2005. ⋯ Substantial progress in measles control has also been achieved in the WHO Western Pacific Region, in seven southern African countries, and in selected countries in WHO European, Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian regions. The ongoing measles disease burden and availability of safe and effective measles mortality reduction strategies make a compelling case to complete the unfinished agenda of measles immunization.