Globally, measles vaccine spared ‘9 crore deaths’

• Measles was once a common disease, with over 90% of children infected and a quarter hospitalised.

• The first effective measles vaccine was developed by John Enders in 1963, leading to rapid vaccination efforts in richer countries.

• In the last 50 years, measles vaccinations have prevented over 9 crore deaths worldwide.

• Studies show that vaccines reduce the chances of developing measles 20-fold.

• Improvements in treatment for secondary infectious diseases, improved sanitation and hygiene, and better childhood nutrition have contributed to the reduction of measles deaths.

• However, the measles virus is airborne, so hygiene improvements do not reduce its spread.

• Despite improved sanitary conditions, measles deaths continued to be common in poorer countries until vaccines became widely available.

• Between the 1980s and 2000s, thousands of people died from measles annually in Africa and Southeast Asia.

• The number of measles deaths dropped dramatically in the 2000s, particularly in Africa, as vaccination efforts scaled up.

• The Gavi Vaccine Alliance was established in 2000 to ensure life-saving vaccines reached the most vulnerable children.

• Over a hundred million infants receive measles vaccinations, saving over 80% of them.

• The cumulative number of lives saved by measles vaccinations over time has been greatest in Africa and Southeast Asia.