Progress toward Measles Eradication in the Region of the Americas

Abstract

Since 1994, when the goal of interrupting indigenous measles transmission was adopted, important progress has been made toward the control of measles in the Americas. Thirty‐nine (95%) of 41 countries reporting to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) conducted catch‐up vaccination campaigns during 1989–1995 and follow‐up measles campaigns every 4 years. Routine (keep‐up) vaccination coverage in the Region increased from 80% in 1994 to 94% in 2000. Measles vaccination coverage ranged between 75% and 99% in 2000 and between 53% and 99% in 2001. As a result, in 2001, the total number of confirmed measles cases reached a record low of 537, 99% lower than the number reported in 1990. In 2002, only Venezuela and Colombia had known indigenous transmission. As of January 2003, no known indigenous measles transmission had occurred in the Region since November 2002. This is due to high political commitment and implementation of PAHO’s recommendations, including strengthened supervision and monitoring to improve accountability at the local level.