Measles Eradication Field Guide

This guide describes in detail the current challenges and activities needed to interrupt measles transmission, to prevent and respond rapidly to emerging measles outbreaks, and to ensure sensitive surveillance is in place. It is presented in a form that can be readily adapted by national immunization managers to suit country situations.

The Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Measles and Rubella Elimination in the Western Pacific was endorsed by the 68th session of the WHO Regional Committee in 2017. This document was developed in consultation with Member States and technical partners through carefully analysing the unsolved issues and emerging challenges that led to the regional resurgence of measles and outbreaks of rubella during 2013-2016. The document will guide development of national plans of action for achieving and sustaining measles and rubella elimination with country-specific strategies and activities that are tailored for addressing issues and challenges faced by each country and area of the region.

This practical guide contains seven modules targeted at district and health facility staff. It intends to meet the demands to improve immunization services so as to reach more infants in a sustainable way, building upon the experiences of polio eradication. It includes materials adapted from polio on planning, monitoring and use of data to improve the service, that can be used at any level. Revising the manual has been a team exercise. There are contributions from a large number of experts, organizations and institutions. This new edition has seven modules. Several new vaccines that have become more readily available and used in recent years have been added. Also the section on integration with other health interventions has been expanded as exciting opportunities and experiences have become evident in the years following the previous edition. Module 1: Target diseases and vaccines Module 2: The vaccine cold chain Module 3: Ensuring safe injections Module 4: Microplanning for reaching every community Module 5: Managing an immunization session Module 6: Monitoring and surveillance Module 7: Partnering with communities.

Experts explore the biological, social, and economic complexities of eradicating disease. Disease eradication represents the ultimate in global equity and the definitive outcome of good public health practice. Thirty years ago, the elimination of smallpox defined disease eradication as a monumental global achievement with lasting benefits for society. Today, the global commitment to eradicate polio and guinea worm and heightened interest in the potential eradication of other infectious diseases, including measles/rubella, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and malaria, dominate public health concerns. But what does it take to eradicate a disease? This book takes a fresh look at the evolving concepts of disease eradication, influenced by scientific advances, field experience, societal issues, and economic realities. A diverse group of experts from around the world, representing a range of disciplines, examines the biological, social, political, and economic complexities of eradicating a disease. The book details lessons learned from the initiatives against polio, measles/rubella, and onchocerciasis. Further chapters examine ethical issues, the investment case, governance models, organizational and institutional arrangements, political and social factors, feasibility of eradication goals, priority setting, and the integration of disease eradication programs with existing health systems. Contributors Stephen L. Cochi, Walter R. Dowdle, Claudia I. Emerson, Kimberly M. Thompson, Radboud J. Duintjer Tebbens, Regina Rabinovich, Lesong Conteh, B. Fenton Hall, Peter A. Singer, Maya Vijayaraghavan, Damian G. Walker, Kari Stoever, Julie Jacobson, Andy Wright, Chris Maher, Bruce Aylward, Ali Jaffer Mohamed, T. Jacob John, Robert S. Scott, Robert Hall, Jeffrey Bates, Sherine Guirguis, Thomas Moran, Peter Strebel, Eric A. Ottesen, Ciro de Quadros, Linda Muller, Jai Prakash Narain, Ole Wichmann, Alan R. Hinman, Stewart Tyson, Robin Biellik, Piya Hanvoravongchai, Sandra Mounier-Jack, Valeria Oliveira Cruz, Dina Balabanova, Yayehyirad Kitaw, Tracey Koehlmoos, Sebastião Loureiro, Mitike Molla, Ha Trong Nguyen, Pierre Ongolo-Zogo, Umeda Sadykova, Harbandhu Sarma, Maria Gloria Teixeira M, Jasim Uddin, Alya Dabbagh, Ulla Kou Griffiths, Muhammad Ali Pate, John O. Gyapong, Adrian Hopkins, Dairiku Hozumi, Mwelecele Malecela