In 2010, the World Health Assembly set three milestones for measles prevention to
be achieved by 2015: 1) increase routine coverage with the first dose of measles-containing
vaccine (MCV1) among children aged 1 year to ≥90% at the national level and to ≥80%
in every district; 2) reduce global annual measles incidence to less than five cases
per million population; and 3) reduce global measles mortality by 95% from the 2000
estimate (
1
).* In 2012, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP),
†
with the objective of eliminating measles
§
in four of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions by 2015 and in five regions
by 2020. Countries in all six WHO regions have adopted goals for measles elimination
by 2020. This report describes progress toward global measles control milestones and
regional measles elimination goals during 2000–2017 and updates a previous report
(
2
). During 2000–2017, estimated MCV1 coverage increased globally from 72% to 85%; annual
reported measles incidence decreased 83%, from 145 to 25 cases per million population;
and annual estimated measles deaths decreased 80%, from 545,174 to 109,638. During
this period, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 21.1 million deaths. However,
measles elimination milestones have not been met, and three regions are experiencing
a large measles resurgence. To make further progress, case-based surveillance needs
to be strengthened, and coverage with MCV1 and the second dose of measles-containing
vaccine (MCV2) needs to increase; in addition, it will be important to maintain political
commitment and ensure substantial, sustained investments to achieve global and regional
measles elimination goals.
Immunization Activities
WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) use data from administrative records
and vaccination coverage surveys reported annually by 194 countries to estimate coverage
with MCV1 and MCV2 delivered through routine immunization services.
¶
During 2000–2017, estimated MCV1 coverage increased globally from 72% to 85% (Table
1), although coverage has remained 84%–85% since 2010, and considerable variation
in regional coverage exists. Since 2013, MCV1 coverage has remained relatively constant
in the African Region (AFR) (69%–70%), the Region of the Americas (AMR) (92%), the
European Region (EUR) (93%–95%), and the Western Pacific Region (WPR) (96%–97%). During
2013–2017, MCV1 coverage increased from 78% to 81% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
(EMR) and from 84% to 87% in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR). WPR is the only region
to achieve and sustain >95% MCV1 coverage since 2006. Among the 73 countries that
receive funding through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi-eligible countries),** MCV1
coverage increased during 2000–2017, from 59% to 79% (Table 1). Globally, 118 (61%)
countries achieved ≥90% MCV1 coverage in 2017, an increase from 85 (44%) countries
in 2000, and a slight decrease from 120 (62%) countries in 2016. During 2000–2017,
the largest increases in the percentage of countries with ≥90% MCV1 coverage were
in AFR (from 9% to 34%) and SEAR (from 27% to 64%); among Gavi-eligible countries,
the percentage of countries with ≥90% MCV1 coverage increased from 15% to 44% (Table
1). In 2017, 78 (40%) countries reached ≥95% MCV1 coverage nationally, and 45 (23%)
countries achieved ≥80% MCV1 coverage in all districts. Globally, an estimated 20.8
million infants did not receive MCV1 through routine immunization services in 2017.
The six countries with the most unvaccinated infants were Nigeria (3.9 million), India
(2.9 million), Pakistan (1.2 million), Indonesia (1.2 million), Ethiopia (1.1 million),
and Angola (0.7 million).
TABLE 1
Estimates of coverage with the first and second doses of measles-containing vaccine
administered through routine immunization services, reported measles cases and incidence,
estimated measles deaths,* and estimated measles deaths averted by vaccination by
World Health Organization (WHO) region — worldwide, 2000 and 2017
WHO region or Gavi-eligible countries (no. of countries in category)/Year
MCV1† coverage, %
Countries with ≥90% MCV1 coverage, %
MCV2† coverage, %
Reporting countries with <5 measles cases/million, %
Reported measles cases,§ no.
Measles incidence§,¶
Estimated no. of measles deaths (95% CI)
Estimated mortality reduction, 2000–2017, %
Cumulative measles deaths averted by vaccination, 2000–2017, no.
African (47)
2000
53
9
5
8
520,102
835
348,207 (239,261–565,071)
86
10,402,672
2017
70
34
25
53
72,603
69
48,017 (22,167–166,341)
Americas (35)
2000
93
63
43
89
1,754
2.1
NA
—
92,777
2017
92
63
74
97
775
1.7
NA
Eastern Mediterranean (21)
2000
72
57
29
17
38,592
90
42,977 (23,351–77,054)
43
2,535,740
2017
81
62
67
55
36,427
57
24,321 (2,418–70,806)
European (53)
2000
91
60
48
45
37,421
50
346 (109–1,801)
71
90,134
2017
95
83
90
57
24,356
27
100 (1–1,356)
South-East Asia (11)
2000
63
27
3
0
78,558
51
143,333 (100,362–203,472)
75
6,699,720
2017
87
64
77
45
28,474
14
35,925 (21,401–83,156)
Western Pacific (27)
2000
85
48
2
30
177,052
105
10,311 (5,153–65,828)
88
1,230,932
2017
97
59
94
80
10,695
6
1,275 (136–54,960)
Total (194)
2000
72
44
15
38
853,479
145
545,174 (368,236–913,226)
80
21,051,974
2017
85
61
67
65
173,330
25
109,638 (46,123–376,619)
Gavi-eligible countries (73)**
2000
59
15
2
14
645,880
258
536,122 (364,323–839,659)
80
19,320,191
2017
79
44
51
58
138,334
40
107,232 (45,839–314,724)
Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; Gavi = Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; MCV1 = first
dose of measles-containing vaccine; MCV2 = second dose of measles-containing vaccine;
NA = not applicable; UNICEF = United Nations Children’s Fund.
* Mortality estimates for 2000 might be different from previous reports. When the
model used to generate estimated measles deaths is rerun each year using the new WHO/UNICEF
Estimates of National Immunization Coverage data, as well as updated surveillance
data, adjusted results for each year, including the baseline year, are also produced
and updated.
† Coverage data: WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage, July 15,
2018 update. http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/data/en.
§ Reported case data: measles cases (2017) from World Health Organization, as of July
15, 2018 (http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/timeseries/tsincidencemeasles.html).
Reported cases are a sizeable underestimate of the actual number of cases, accounting
for the inconsistency between reported cases and estimated deaths.
¶ Cases per 1 million population; population data from United Nations, Department
of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2017. Any country not reporting
data on measles cases for that year was removed from both the numerator and denominator.
** Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), previously known as the Global Alliance for
Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), is a public-private global health partnership committed
to increasing access to immunization in poor countries. Gavi-eligible countries are
those that received funding support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Countries are
eligible to apply for Gavi support when their Gross National Income (GNI) per capita
is ≤US$1,580 on average over the past three years (according to World Bank data published
every year on July 1). In Gavi phase I (2000 to 2006), the GNI per capita eligibility
threshold was US$1,000 (based on 1998 World Bank data). In Gavi phase II (2007 to
2010), country eligibility was based on the World Bank GNI per capita data for 2003.
The eligibility threshold was maintained at the initial level of US$1,000. Since January
1, 2011, Gavi phase III, the threshold is adjusted for inflation annually. All 73
Gavi-eligible countries are included here, even if they graduated from Gavi support
during 2000–2017. Timor Leste and South Sudan data were not available for the year
2000.
Estimated MCV2 coverage increased globally from 15% in 2000 to 67% in 2017, largely
because of an increase in the number of countries providing MCV2 nationally from 98
(51%) in 2000 to 167 (86%) in 2017 (Table 1). Three countries introduced MCV2 in 2017
(Laos, Namibia, and Nicaragua). During 2000–2017, the largest increases in regional
MCV2 coverage were from 3% to 77% in SEAR, and from 2% to 94% in WPR. Among Gavi-eligible
countries, MCV2 coverage increased from 2% to 51% during 2000–2017.
During 2017, approximately 205 million persons received supplementary doses of measles-containing
vaccine (MCV) during 53 supplementary immunization activities (SIAs)
††
implemented in 39 countries (Table 2). Based on doses administered, SIA coverage was
≥95% in 26 (49%) SIAs. During 2010–2017, a total of 1,476,826,523 persons were vaccinated
globally through 443 measles SIAs (an average of 55 SIAs per year); 172 (39%) SIAs
included at least one other health intervention.
TABLE 2
Measles supplementary immunization activities (SIAs)* and the delivery of other child
health interventions, by World Health Organization (WHO) region and country — African,
Eastern Mediterranean, European, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific Regions, 2017
WHO region/country
Age group targeted
Extent of SIA
No. of children (%) reached in targeted age group†
% coverage based on survey results
Other interventions delivered
African
Algeria
6–14 yrs
N
3,154,279 (45)
—
Rubella vaccine
Burundi
9 mos–14 yrs
N
4,126,421 (99)
98
Rubella vaccine
Central African Republic
6 mos–14 yrs
SN
28,155 (98)
—
—
Central African Republic
6 mos–14 yrs
SN
63,823 (131)
—
Vitamin A, deworming
Chad
9–59 mos
SN
707,103 (102)
—
—
Democratic Republic of the Congo
6–59 mos
SN
5,466,923 (103)
89
—
Ethiopia
9 mos–14 yrs
SN
21,225,199 (96)
93
—
Ethiopia
6–179 mos
SN
2,524,841 (98)
—
—
Gabon
9–59 mos
N
200,648 (75)
—
Vitamin A, bOPV
Guinea
6–10 yrs
SN
148,344 (104)
—
—
Guinea
6–10 yrs
SN
662,733 (96)
—
—
Guinea
6–59 mos
SN
1,315,918 (104)
—
—
Lesotho
9 mos–14 yrs
N
540,017 (89)
92
Rubella vaccine, vitamin A, bOPV, deworming
Malawi
9 mos–14 yrs
N
8,132,788 (102)
93
Rubella vaccine, vitamin A, deworming
Nigeria
9–59 mos
N
40,044,875 (107)
88
—
Rwanda
9–15 yrs
SN
93,893 (98)
—
Rubella vaccine
Rwanda
9–59 mos
N
1,508,834 (102)
97
Rubella vaccine, vitamin A, deworming
Senegal
9–59 mos
N
2,226,482 (107)
91
Rubella vaccine
South Africa
6–59 mos
N
4,255,588 (80)
—
—
South Africa
5–14 yrs
SN
846,642 (82)
—
—
South Sudan
6–59 mos
N
1,950,955 (84)
—
Vitamin A, OPV, deworming
Eastern Mediterranean
Afghanistan
9–59 mos
SN
1,053,452 (97)
—
—
Djibouti
4–8 yrs
N
11,628 (92)
—
Vitamin A, deworming
Iraq
6–13 yrs
SN
319,314 (82)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Kuwait
1–19 yrs
N
165,296 (16)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Lebanon
1–15 yrs
SN
1,938 (83)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine, OPV, IPV, PCV
Libya
3–6 yrs
N
721,488 (101)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Oman
20–35 yrs
N
1,658,642 (92)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Yemen
6 mos–15 yrs
SN
205,731 (41)
—
Rubella vaccine
Yemen
6 mos–15 yrs
SN
166,654 (100)
—
Rubella vaccine
Europe
Cyprus
14 yrs
N
6,176 (86)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Cyprus
6–12 yrs
N
7,446 (92)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Cyprus
6–12 yrs
N
7,957 (91)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Georgia
6–30 yrs
N
7,501 (15)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Romania
9–11 mos
N
97,958 (30)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Tajikistan
1–9 yrs
N
1,938,190 (100)
—
Rubella vaccine
Turkey
refugees
N
85,670 (21)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, DTaP vaccine, IPV, Hib vaccine
Turkey
refugees
N
28,908 (7)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Turkey
refugees
N
28,732 (7)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Ukraine
1–9 yrs
N
163,782 (57)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Ukraine
6–9 yrs
N
154,430 (67)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
South-East Asia
Bangladesh
9 mos–<5 yrs
SN
1,552,374 (100)
—
Rubella vaccine
Bangladesh
6 mos–<15 yrs
SN
490,501 (107)
—
Rubella vaccine, OPV
Bhutan
9 mos– 40 yrs
N
263,337 (98)
—
Rubella vaccine
India§
9 mos–15 yrs
N
59,156,720 (98)
—
Rubella vaccine
Indonesia
9 mos–15 yrs
SN
35,307,148 (101)
—
Rubella vaccine
Maldives
15–25 yrs
N
46,835 (76)
—
Rubella vaccine
Maldives
8–14 yrs
N
1,645 (77)
—
Rubella vaccine
Western Pacific
Cambodia
6–59 mos
N
1,452,821 (90)
75
Rubella vaccine
Fiji
12 mos–11 yrs
N
178,069 (95)
—
Rubella vaccine
Laos
9 mos–<5 yrs
N
703,924 (100)
—
Rubella vaccine, bOPV
Federated States of Micronesia
12–60 mos
SN
1,491(79)
—
Rubella vaccine, mumps vaccine
Samoa
1–12 yrs
N
57,229 (95)
—
Rubella vaccine
Abbreviations: bOPV = bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine; DPT = diphtheria and pertussis
toxoids and tetanus vaccine; DT = diphtheria and tetanus toxoids; DTaP = diphtheria
and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine; Hib = Haemophilus influenzae
type b vaccine; IPV = inactivated polio vaccine; N = national; OPV = oral poliovirus
vaccine; PCV = pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; Penta = pentavalent (DTP, hepatitis
B, Hib) vaccine; SIA = supplementary immunization activity; SN = subnational.
* SIAs generally are carried out using two approaches: 1) An initial, nationwide catch-up
SIA targets all children aged 9 months to 14 years; it has the goal of eliminating
susceptibility to measles in the general population. Periodic follow-up SIAs then
target all children born since the last SIA. 2) Follow-up SIAs are generally conducted
nationwide every 2–4 years and target children aged 9–59 months; their goal is to
eliminate any measles susceptibility that has developed in recent birth cohorts and
to protect children who did not respond to the first measles vaccination. The exact
age range for follow-up SIAs depends on the age-specific incidence of measles, coverage
with 1 dose of measles-containing vaccine, and the time since the last SIA.
† Values >100% indicate that the number of doses administered exceeded the estimated
target population.
§ Rollover national campaigns started the previous year or will continue into the
next year.
Reported Measles Incidence
In 2017, 189 (97%) countries conducted measles case-based surveillance in at least
part of the country, and 191 (98%) had access to standardized quality-controlled testing
through the WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network. However, surveillance
was weak in many countries, and fewer than half of the countries reporting surveillance
indicators (73 of 152; 48%) achieved the sensitivity indicator target of two or more
discarded measles and rubella
§§
cases per 100,000 population.
Countries report the aggregate number of incident measles cases
¶¶
,
*** to WHO and UNICEF annually through the Joint Reporting Form.
†††
During 2000–2017, the number of measles cases reported worldwide decreased 80%, from
853,479 in 2000 to 173,330 in 2017, and measles incidence decreased 83%, from 145
to 25 cases per million population (Table 1). Compared with the reported number of
cases (132,328) and incidence (19 cases per million) in 2016, both cases and incidence
increased in 2017, in part because eight more countries reported case data in 2017
(184 of 194; 95%) than did in 2016 (176 of 194; 91%).
§§§
The percentage of reporting countries with annual measles incidence of <5 cases per
million population increased from 38% (64 of 169) in 2000 to 69% (122 of 176) in 2016,
and then decreased to 65% (119 of 184) in 2017. During 2016–2017, reported measles
cases increased 31% globally, 100% in AFR, 6,358% in AMR, 481% in EMR, 458% in EUR,
and 3% in SEAR, but decreased 82% in WPR. In Gavi-eligible countries, reported cases
increased 45% from 2016.
Genotypes of viruses isolated from measles cases were reported by 76 (59%) of the
129 countries that reported at least one measles case in 2017. Among the 24 recognized
measles virus genotypes, 11 were detected during 2005–2008, eight during 2009–2014,
six in 2015, and five in 2016 and 2017, excluding those from vaccine reactions and
cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a fatal progressive neurologic disease
caused by persistent measles virus infection (
3
).
¶¶¶
In 2017, among 5,789 reported measles virus sequences,**** 2,641 (45.6%) were genotype
B3 (53 countries); 15 (0.26%) were D4 (two countries); 2,542 (43.9%) were D8 (49 countries);
46 (0.80%) were D9 (six countries); and 545 (9.4%) were H1 (11 countries).
Measles Mortality Estimates
A previously described model for estimating measles disease and mortality was updated
with new measles vaccination coverage data, case data, and United Nations population
estimates for all countries during 2000–2017, enabling derivation of a new series
of disease and mortality estimates. For countries with previously anomalous estimates,
the model was modified slightly to generate mortality estimates consistent with the
observed case data (
4
). Based on the updated data, the estimated number of measles cases declined from
28,493,539 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19,808,871–64,780,514) in 2000 to 6,732,904
(CI = 2,950,042–36,842,865) in 2017. During this period, estimated measles deaths
decreased 80%, from 545,174 (CI = 368,236–913,226) in 2000 to 109,638 (CI = 46,123–376,619)
in 2017 (Table 1). During 2000–2017, compared with no measles vaccination, measles
vaccination prevented an estimated 21.1 million deaths globally and 19.3 million deaths
among Gavi-eligible countries (Figure) (Table 1).
FIGURE
Estimated annual number of measles deaths with and without vaccination programs —
worldwide, 2000–2017*
* Deaths prevented by vaccination are indicated by the area between estimated deaths
with vaccination and those without vaccination (cumulative total of 21.1 million deaths
prevented during 2000–2017). Error bars represent upper and lower 95% confidence limits
around the point estimate.
The figure is a line chart showing the estimated annual number of measles deaths with
and without vaccination programs, worldwide, during 2000–2017.
Regional Verification of Measles Elimination
In 2017, AFR and EMR established regional verification commissions (RVCs); thus, all
six regions now have RVCs. In September 2016, the AMR RVC declared the region free
of endemic measles (
5
). In 2017, the EUR RVC verified measles elimination in 37 (70%) countries and the
reestablishment of endemic measles virus transmission in the Russian Federation and
in Germany (
6
). In SEAR, Maldives and Bhutan were verified as having eliminated measles in 2017
(
7
). In WPR, six (22%) countries (Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, New Zealand, and
South Korea) and two areas, Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region (China) and Macao
Special Autonomous Region (China), had verified measles elimination in 2017 (
8
). No EMR or AFR countries had verified elimination in 2017.
Discussion
During 2000–2017, increased coverage with MCV administered through routine immunization
programs and SIAs, and other global measles elimination efforts contributed to an
83% decrease in reported measles incidence and an 80% reduction in estimated measles
mortality. Measles vaccination prevented an estimated 21.1 million deaths during this
period; the large majority of deaths averted were in AFR and among Gavi-eligible countries.
Global MCV2 coverage has steadily increased since 2000; in 2017, 167 (86%) countries
provided MCV2. In 2017, MCV1 and MCV2 coverage in WPR was ≥94%, and measles incidence
in this region was at an all-time low. The increasing number of countries verified
as having achieved measles elimination indicates progress toward global interruption
of measles virus transmission.
Despite this progress, however, the 2015 global milestones have not been achieved;
global MCV1 coverage has stagnated for nearly a decade; global MCV2 coverage is only
at 67% despite steady increases; and SIA quality was inadequate to achieve ≥95% coverage
in several countries. Since 2016, measles incidence has increased globally and in
five of the six WHO regions. Furthermore, as of July 2018, endemic measles has been
reestablished in Venezuela because of the sustained transmission of measles virus
for >12 months; the remaining 34 AMR countries continue to maintain their measles
elimination status, but the ongoing outbreak in Venezuela has led to measles virus
importations and outbreaks in bordering AMR countries. In addition, the measles resurgence
in Europe has likely led to reestablished endemic measles in some EUR countries. These
outbreaks highlight the fragility of gains made toward global and regional measles
elimination goals. Continuing to increase MCV1 and MCV2 coverage is critical to both
the achievement and sustainability of the global and regional measles elimination
goals. Meanwhile, conducting high quality SIAs that reach unvaccinated and undervaccinated
children will prevent future outbreaks that are costly in terms of morbidity and mortality
and are disruptive to immunizations service delivery. It is important to have high-performing
surveillance for early detection of outbreaks; and when outbreaks do occur, thorough
outbreak investigations are needed to better understand and address the underlying
causes of the outbreak and why children are being missed by immunization delivery
systems.
The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, SIA
administrative coverage data might be biased by inaccurate reports of the number of
doses delivered, doses administered to children outside the target age group, and
inaccurate estimates of the target population size. Second, large differences between
the estimated and reported incidence indicate variable surveillance sensitivity, making
comparisons between countries and regions difficult to interpret. Finally, the accuracy
of estimates from the measles mortality model is affected by biases in all model inputs,
including country-specific measles vaccination coverage and measles case-based surveillance
data.
Monitoring progress toward measles elimination goals could be improved by establishing
updated indicators. For example, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization
recently approved country classifications, and updates to the framework for the verification
of measles elimination will standardize monitoring of countries’ progress toward verified
elimination (
9
). Moreover, synergizing future global health efforts and capitalizing on immunization
partners’ investments could be enhanced by dovetailing measles and rubella elimination
strategies with post-GVAP immunization targets and strategies.
Strengthening routine immunization and continuing to conduct high-quality SIAs will
help achieve global and regional measles elimination goals, improve overall vaccination
coverage and equity, and assist in attaining universal health coverage. It is important
that countries continue to strengthen case-based surveillance and increase MCV1 and
MCV2 coverage and that immunization partners continue to raise the visibility of measles
elimination goals and secure political commitment to these goals and sustained investments
in health systems.
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
In 2012, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan; as a result,
countries in all six World Health Organization regions have adopted goals for elimination
of measles by 2020.
What is added by this report?
During 2000–2017, annual reported measles incidence decreased 83%, and annual estimated
measles deaths decreased 80%. Since 2000, global measles elimination efforts have
prevented an estimated 21.1 million deaths. However, measles elimination milestones
have not been met, and three regions are experiencing a large measles resurgence.
What are the implications for public health practice?
To make further progress, case-based surveillance needs to be strengthened, and coverage
with the first and second dose of measles-containing vaccine needs to increase; moreover,
it is important to maintain political commitment, and secure substantial, sustained
investments.