title: Combining Global Elimination Of Measles And Rubella With Strengthening Of Health Systems In Developing Countries.
abstract: Global efforts to eliminate measles and rubella can be combined with other actions to accelerate the strengthening of health systems in developing countries. However, there are several challenges standing in the way of successfully combining measles and rubella vaccination campaigns with health systems strengthening. Those challenges include the following: achieving universal vaccine coverage while integrating the initiative with other primary care strategies and developing the necessary health system resilience to confront emergencies, ensuring epidemiological and laboratory surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, developing the human resources needed to effectively manage and implement national strategies, increasing community demand for health services, and obtaining long-term political support. We describe lessons learned from the successful elimination of measles and rubella in the Americas and elsewhere that strive to strengthen national health systems to both improve vaccine uptake and confront emerging threats. The elimination of measles and rubella provides opportunities for nations to strengthen health systems and thus to both reduce inequities and ensure national health security.
authors: Jon Kim Andrus (Jon.Andrus@sabin.org) is executive vice president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, in Washington, D.C.
authors: Jon Kim
authors: JK
authors: Andrus
authors: Stephen L. Cochi is a senior adviser in the Global Immunizations Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Stephen L
authors: SL
authors: Cochi
authors: Louis Z. Cooper is a professor emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, in New York City.
authors: Louis Z
authors: LZ
authors: Cooper
authors: Jonathan D. Klein is associate executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
authors: Jonathan D
authors: JD
authors: Klein
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D060740:Disease Eradication / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D014943:Global Health; D006078:Government Programs / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Access To Care; Developing World < International/global health studies; Disparities; Health Promotion/Disease Prevention; Workforce Issues