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Founded originally as the Measles Initiative in 2001, it changed its name to the M&RI in 2012 when rubella was added to the mission. The initiative is led by the American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
The Problem
An estimated 246 people die each day from the disease.
The Solution
Measles and rubella are easily preventable with a safe and effective vaccine. It only costs about $1 to vaccinate a child against measles and $2 to vaccinate against both measles and rubella.
The Impact
As a result of an increased number of children vaccinated, measles deaths fell by 84 percent between 2000-2016
The Measles & Rubella Initiative goal, which is part of the Global Vaccine Action Plan, is to reduce measles deaths worldwide by 95 percent by 2015 and eliminate measles and rubella in at least five of the six World Health Organization regions by 2020.
Since 2001, the M&RI has supported 88 countries to deliver more than 2 billion doses of measles vaccine, helped to raise measles vaccination coverage to 85% globally, and reduced measles deaths by 84%. These efforts contributed significantly to reducing child mortality as per Millennium Development Goal 4 and continue to contribute towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.
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The Measles & Rubella Initiative is a cooperative effort between the following organizations
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