WHO urges Western Pacific to eliminate measles

MANILA, Philippines - The World Health Organization (WHO) urged yesterday its member-states in the Western Pacific region to step up routine immunization to eliminate measles.

WHO director for Western Pacific Shin Young-Soo said there have been success stories in the anti-measles campaign but efforts must be intensified to sustain the gains.

“Despite the great progress that has been made towards the elimination of measles in our region, we must do more,” Shin said.

He noted that countries “must intensify efforts and increase investments to ensure that everyone is protected against this serious and frequently fatal disease.”

“As we did with smallpox more than a generation ago, we must consign measles to history,” he said in time for next week’s celebration of World Immunization Week 2013.

The event’s theme this year is “Finish the job: No more measles for anyone!”

WHO records showed that measles incidence in the region declined to six cases per million population in 2012, from 12 cases per million of population in 2011.

“More than 300 million persons were immunized against measles in the region from 2003 to 2011. Of the 37 countries and areas in the region, 33 already may have interrupted endemic measles transmission, and 27 may be ready to initiate the process of verifying that they have interrupted endemic measles transmission because they have been free of endemic measles for more than three years,” a WHO statement showed.

WHO describes vaccination as “among the most successful and cost-effective health interventions,” preventing 2 to 3 million deaths each year worldwide.

Besides measles, vaccination also protects against diphtheria, pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhea, rubella and tetanus, among other life-threatening diseases.

Its benefits extend from infants to adolescents, adults and the elderly, and even cover certain influenzas, cancers (cervical and liver) and types of meningitis.

WHO urged all countries to intensify efforts to immunize all children, particularly those in far-flung communities.