The role of vaccines in elimination and global eradication of measles: A review of literature

SUMMARY The principal objectives of the WHO measles elimination initiative are (Commonwealth of Australia, 2000): to cease measles-related morbidity and mortality, by interrupting indigenous transmission of measles; and to prevent re-introduction of measles until global eradication is achieved, by maintaining uniformly low levels of popu-lation susceptibility. To facilitate progression from the ‘outbreak prevention’ phase to the ‘elimination’ phase, and in order to achieve elimination objectives, very high vaccination coverage levels are needed, especially in closed settings such as schools where contact rates are high. Uniformity of coverage is also important, because pockets of susceptible persons are capable of perpetua-ting endemic transmission (Commonwealth of Australia, 2000). To eradicate one of humankind’s great scourges is a challenge that is not easily met. Before global eradication of measles can be achieved, additional workis needed to address operational barriers (e.g., injection safety), to build political and financial commitments, and to develop effective partnerships. As has been learned from the Polio Eradication Initiative, the availability of effective vaccination strategies alone is not sufficient to ensure that eradication can be achieved (Meissner et al., 2004). Immunization and vaccination programs world wide now prevent greater than 1.5 million deaths from measles in developing countries. Yet approximately 1 million children continue to die each year from measles- a preventable and potentially eradicable disease (Tamin et al., 1994). The success of any immunization programme is dependent, to a large extent, on the quality and level of vaccination coverage (Adu, 2008). Therefore to prevent future outbreak of measles, the measles immunization and vaccination programme should be intensified. These will bring about the successful eradication of measles. If measles is to be eradicated, there must be a sustained political, financial, and societal commitment to this challenge. Though, the goals for measles reduction set for 2010 are out of reach, eradication of measles is most likely to be possible, if eradication of polio becomes successful and the challenges to measles reduction are well prepared.