World Immunization Week: Red Cross Fights to Erase Measles & Rubella

It’s World Immunization Week, a good time to report on the worldwide Measles and Rubella Initiative (M&RI) of which the American Red Cross is one of the founding partners leading the effort to eliminate these diseases through vaccinations.

Founded in 2001, the M&RI is led by the American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The aim is to vaccinate children across the globe in hopes of erasing these devastating diseases.

Since 2001, more than 3 billion children have been immunized against measles in over 88 countries, reducing global measles deaths by 94%. But this is not enough. It is estimated that more than 166 kids — most of them children under the age of 5 — still die every day from these preventable conditions.

The Red Cross has contributed more than $185 million toward campaigns and the purchase of vaccines and materials and plays a pivotal role in vaccination campaigns worldwide. Local volunteers use mass media, rallies, door-to-door visits and educational entertainment to reach families who do not have access to routine health services. Whether in distant villages or urban settlements, these campaigns may be the only way for children to receive this lifesaving vaccine.

Through partnerships with Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies, local volunteers are mobilized and trained to conduct home-to-home visits among their neighbors, providing information on vaccination campaigns to caregivers and encouraging the vaccination of children. Since 2001, 136 campaigns in 46 countries have been directly supported by the American Red Cross with more than 77,000 volunteers mobilized.

Learn about efforts in Benin and Kenya.

Here in the U.S., Red Cross nurses provide community education and educate legislators about the Measles and Rubella Initiative (M&RI). Red Cross nurses have been invaluable in reaching out to key members of Congress to raise awareness of the continued global disease burden due to measles and rubella and advocate for continued support for M&RI through the U.S. government. More than 50 nurse advocate volunteers have been trained and conducted visits with 28 congressional offices. These nurses have helped to secure $50 million toward measles and rubella elimination programs through our key M&RI partner, the U.S. CDC.

Measles is a highly contagious virus, spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. In 2000, measles was a top five cause of death of children under the age of 5 years, with 1,072,000 deaths annually.

Complications from measles can include pneumonia, blindness, encephalitis and diarrhea. Rubella is generally a mild disease but can have serious consequences for pregnant women and their children. Pregnant women can pass rubella to their fetuses resulting in Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), often resulting in multiple birth defects including heart problems, deafness, and blindness.

How You Can Help Learn more about this important effort here. It only costs $2 to vaccinate a child. To join the global flight, text PREVENT to 90999 to give $10 to the Red Cross and help us vaccinate children against measles. With just $10 you can save the lives of 5 children. Please consider making a donation today to support this important effort.