Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination—Worldwide, 2000-2018
2019
This article by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examines global progress towards reducing child mortality by increasing measles vaccination coverage. It provides an update to a previous report by describing developments in immunization activities, disease incidence, disease and mortality estimates, and regional verifications of measles elimination from 2000 to 2018. During this period, the reported measles incidence decreased by 66% and annual estimated measles deaths decreased by 73%. Despite the declines in incidence and mortality from measles between 2000 and 2018, the number of measles cases worldwide increased by 167% in 2018 compared to 2016. This vast majority of new measles cases during this period can be attributed to unvaccinated persons and vaccine hesitancy. Countries in all six World Health Organization regions have adopted goals to eliminate measles by 2020.
Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination—Worldwide, 2000-2018
Source:
Patel M et al. Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination—Worldwide, 2000-2018. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019; 68(48): 1105-1111. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6848a1.