David Heymann and colleagues consider progress towards regional elimination of measles a distraction from polio eradication efforts. However, measles vaccine has proven one of the most cost-effective measures for saving vulnerable children's lives. Attaining high coverage of measles immunisation worldwide represents one of the most effective propoor strategies available. Between 2000 and 2008, an estimated 4.3 million additional child deaths were averted as a result of accelerated measles control efforts, including increases in routine measles immunisation coverage and administration of more than 600 million doses of measles vaccine in mass vaccination campaigns. Estimates indicate that almost a quarter of all lives saved annually towards achieving Millennium Development Goal 4 are the result of progress towards achieving a 90% reduction in measles deaths.
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