Measles Vaccine prevented over 9 crore deaths across the globe: Health experts

Before vaccines were available, nearly everyone got measles as a child and, as a result, millions worldwide died, mainly in developing and emerging nations. There were many cases of measles and many deaths because a vaccine did not exist. Up to 90% of all children living in less-developed areas were infected before 1963. For the past six decades, there has been a major decline in measles deaths thanks to many vaccination initiatives around the world. It reduced the number of new infections and stopped damage to the immune system, saving the lives of an estimated 9 crore people worldwide.

Context:

• There have been about 9 crore less deaths due to measles since the first vaccinations in 1963.

• Most of the lives saved come from Africa (2.9 crore) and Southeast Asia (2 crore).

• A lot more newborns are being protected from disease thanks to increased vaccination around the world.

Key Details:

Before Vaccination for Measles

• The majority (over 90%) of children were infected without vaccination.

• More than a quarter of sick children needed hospitalization and case fatality was much higher in low-income countries during the 1980s.

• Boosting hygiene and nutrition led to fewer deaths from these diseases, but as measles can be caught by breathing infected air, it could not be stopped.

Effects of getting vaccinated against measles

• The first vaccine proved to be effective was created by John Enders in 1963.

• Starting in the 1960s, vaccination programs advanced quickly in developed countries and, from the 1970s through the 1980s, worldwide.

• A person’s risk of measles infection is greatly reduced by having a vaccine.

• Millions of lives were spared when extensive immunization prevented many disastrous epidemics.

Global and Regional Vaccination Efforts

• Since the World Health Assembly’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation began in the 1970s, vaccination coverage has improved.

• Gavi Vaccine Alliance (created in 2000) worked to give vaccines to poor regions where they were not available.

• At the turn of the millennium, about 60% of babies globally had been vaccinated against measles and currently more than 80% are vaccinated in many regions.

Consequence of Vaccination Across Regions

• In Africa, measles contributed to the most child deaths until not too long ago; already, it has saved 2.9 crore lives.

• In Southeast Asia, two million lives have been saved and very similar large drops in deaths have occurred.

• More has to be done to inoculate children from at-risk groups who have not yet received the vaccine.

About Measles

What is Measles?

• Between 2014 and 2016, measles was reported in many new states in the United States.

• Over 90% of close contacts who are unprotected can catch the virus from an infected person.

• First, the virus affects the respiratory system and after that, it is spread throughout the body.

• Measles only affects humans; animals can’t become infected with it.

• No new cases have appeared in countries where everyone is vaccinated with the two doses and this illness has been eliminated there.

Treatment:

• No exact antiviral can treat measles.

• You can help by taking a healthy diet, providing plenty of water and treating dehydration.

Prevention:

• All children should be safely vaccinated against measles.

• In areas where many people get COVID-19, special efforts are made to provide immunizations.

• They play a vital role in trying to decrease the number of deaths worldwide due to measles.

Measles cases in India:

• In the period between 2017 and 2021, the number of measles cases fell by 62%, down from 10.4 to 4 cases per million population.

Measures to Fight against Measles

• The Measles & Rubella Initiative brings action to this cause.

• The U.S. Fund for UNICEF, along with the American Red Cross, UN Foundation, CDC, UNICEF and WHO, started the partnership in 2001.

• Dedicated to preventing any child’s death from measles and the development of congenital rubella syndrome.

• Supports nations in their plans to address, finance and evaluate activities related to ending measles and rubella.

Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination

• The scheme is designed for 41 crore children in India between 9 months and less than 15 years old.

• Provides a single MR vaccine shot, disregarding whether the person has ever been infected or has had previous MR vaccination.

Other Initiatives:

• Universal Immunization Programme for vaccinating all children and adults.

• Mission Indradhanush

• Intensified Mission Indradhanush.

Conclusion 

Between 1960 and the present, the global response to measles saved an estimated 9 crore lives by introducing vaccines. While cleaner water and better diets have helped, it is largely the vaccine that has stopped the rise in polio cases. Global vaccination is needed to both achieve universal health coverage and sustainable development goals in all countries, but it is particularly urgent in low-income areas. Still investing in immunization systems and teaming up globally are necessary to prevent measles and protect children from more outbreaks that cost lives.