The Measles Initiative
The Measles Initiative is a partnership of the American Red Cross, the U.S. Center for Disease Control, the UN Foundation, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF. This integrated campaign is one of the most successful vaccination efforts in history. Since it began in 2001, nearly 400 million children across Africa have been vaccinated against measles and the number of measles cases reduced by 68%.
Child Health Interventions and Bed Net Distributions
Building on this success, the Measles Initiative has expanded to provide a package of critical child heath interventions, such as Vitamin A, de-worming medicines, the oral polio vaccine and insecticide-treated bed nets.
From 2002 to 2006, the Measles Initiative has distributed over 23 million bed nets in 18 countries across Africa through these integrated child health campaigns. In 2006 alone, almost 21 million bed nets were distributed in 10 African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria.
How Bed Nets are Distributed through the Measles Initiative
Coordination with African Governments
Each year the Measles Initiative coordinates with African governments to determine which countries will undertake measles campaigns. This is based on the prevalence and spread of the disease, the number of years since the last campaign, and the interest and preparedness of each country. Such coordination is necessary to conduct effective and efficient campaigns as well as ensure sustainability. From 2002 to 2006, 12 countries have been chosen to conduct measles campaigns in 2007.
Government and NGO Coordination of Bed Nets
During the planning process for a measles campaign (which can take 6 to 9 months), a country can choose to integrate other health interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets. When a country decides to distribute bed nets during its measles campaign, the Measles Initiative and the country government coordinate the planning for each such that they are fully integrated. Together, WHO, UNICEF and the local ministry of health determine where to purchase the bed nets and who will be responsible for bed net storage, distribution, social mobilization, and follow-up surveying.
Distribution of Bed Nets and Education on their Use
Throughout the integrated child health campaign, children travel to vaccination posts where they receive the measles vaccine and other medicines, as well the insecticide-treated bed net. Health workers and volunteers provide the immunizations and educate children and their families on the use of the bed nets, while observers from various agencies and organizations monitor the activities of the campaign and provide support to the health workers and volunteers as needed.
Evaluation
The evaluation of the bed net distribution generally takes place just prior to the rainy season, providing an opportunity to re-educate families on the use of the bed nets as they enter the time of year during which mosquitoes tend to be more prevalent.
Sending Nets. Saving Lives
This entire process of purchasing and distributing insecticide-treated bed nets to children under the age of five, as well as providing education and follow-up surveying on their use, is accomplished at the cost of just $10 per bed net.
To learn more about The Measles Initiative, visit http://www.measlesinitiative.org/
To learn more about The Measles Initiative, visit http://www.measlesintiative.org
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