Global measles control and regional elimination, 1998-1999

In 1989, the World Health Assembly adopted the goal of reducing measles morbidity and mortality by 90% and 95%, respectively, by 1995, compared with estimates of the disease burden in the prevaccine era. In 1990, the World Summit for Children adopted a goal of vaccinating 90% of children against measles by 2000. Three regions of the World Health Organization (WHO) have targeted elimination: in 1994, the American Region (AMR) targeted elimination by 2000; in 1997, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) targeted elimination by 2010; and in 1998, the European Region (EUR) targeted elimination by 2007. This report updates progress since 1997 toward global measles control and regional elimination of measles, and includes vaccination coverage and disease surveillance data received by WHO as of August 14, 1999. Data for 1998 suggest that routine measles vaccination coverage has declined in some regions, the number of countries reporting cases and coverage to WHO has decreased, and measles continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality.