WHO: Measles mortality rate drops

MANILA, Philippines - Around 13.8 million deaths have been prevented by anti-measles vaccination globally from 2000 to 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday.

According to WHO, the annual mortality rate from measles dropped by 78 percent during this period.

It also noted a decline in measles cases worldwide from 853,480 to 226,722.

“These gains are a result of global routine measles immunization coverage holding steady at 84 percent and 145 countries having introduced a routine second dose of measles vaccine to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks,” WHO added.

Aside from routine immunization, countries have also vaccinated 145 million children during mass vaccination campaigns in 2010.

WHO launched in 2001 the Measles and Rubella Initiative to ensure that no child dies from measles or is born with congenital rubella syndrome; reduce measles deaths by 95 percent by 2015, and achieve measles and rubella elimination in at least five regions by 2020.

“Measles continues to be a global threat, with five of six WHO regions still experiencing large outbreaks,” the agency said.