title: Progress in measles mortality reduction in Ethiopia, 2002-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2002, Ethiopia adopted the African regional accelerated measles control strategies to reduce measles mortality. Routine measles vaccination is provided for infants at 9 months of age. A second opportunity for measles vaccination through supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) started in 2002, targeting children aged 6 months-14 years; periodic follow-up SIAs were conducted, targeting children aged 6-59 months from 2005 through 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  The administrative coverage data for routine measles vaccination and the respective World Health Organization-United Nations Children's Fund vaccination coverage estimates, as well as administrative coverage during measles SIAs and the measles case-based surveillance data from 2004 through 2009, were reviewed and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The administrative coverage with routine measles vaccination increased from 37% in 2000 to 76% in 2009. The SIAs coverage was 92% for the catch-up SIAs, 88% for the first follow-up SIAs, and 92% for the second follow-up SIAs. Measles case-based surveillance met the targets set for the 2 main performance indicators during 2005-2009.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following the adoption of the measles control strategies, a reduction in the number of reported measles cases and measles outbreaks was documented. However, measles outbreaks continued to occur in Ethiopia, mainly because of suboptimal measles vaccination coverage.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. kasahunm@et.afro.who.int
authors.forename: Kassahun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitiku
authors.forename: Tesfaye
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bedada
authors.forename: Balcha G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Masresha
authors.forename: Wondimagegn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kegne
authors.forename: Fatoumata
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nafo-Traoré
authors.forename: Neghist
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tesfaye
authors.forename: Asnakew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yigzaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine