Eradication of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Abstract

▪ Abstract Eradication is the permanent reduction to zero of the worldwide incidence of infection caused by a specific agent as a result of deliberate efforts; intervention measures are no longer needed. To date, the only infectious disease that has been eradicated is smallpox. Poliomyelitis is targeted for eradication by the year 2000, and the eradication initiative is well under way, with the Western Hemisphere certified as being polio-free and more than one year having passed since polio cases occurred in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization. A review of the technical feasibility of eradicating other diseases preventable by vaccines currently licensed for civilian use in the United States indicates that measles, hepatitis B, mumps, rubella, and possibly disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b are potential candidates. From a practical point of view, measles seems most likely to be the next target. Global capacity to undertake eradication is limited, and care must be taken to ensure that a potential measles eradication effort does not impede achievement of polio eradication. Even in the absence of eradication, major improvements in control are both feasible and necessary with existing vaccines. New and improved vaccines may give further possibilities of eradication in the future. Eradication represents the ultimate in sustainability and social justice.

Evaluation of the establishment of herd immunity in the population by means of serological surveys and vaccination coverage

“…13,14 Elimination of measles, mumps and rubella is a feasible but costly objective because it requires achieving and maintaining a high prevalence of protected individuals. 2,4,15 The re-emergence of measles in Europe made it impossible to achieve measles elimination by the year 2010, and raised the possibility that infected Europeans could spread the disease to poor countries where vaccination rates are low. The global eradication of measles is more difficult than for other infectious diseases due its higher herd prevalence of protected individuals necessary to block its transmission.…”

A Vectored Measles Virus Induces Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Antibodies While Protecting Macaques against Measles Virus Challenge

“…Smallpox was eradicated with live vaccinia virus, and a live attenuated poliovirus vaccine has been at the core of the polio eradication campaign (17). Worldwide measles virus (MV) vaccination prevents an estimated 80 million cases and 4.5 million deaths annually (45) with minimal severe adverse effects, on average less than 10 in 1 million doses (34).…”

Evaluation of the Cold-Chain for Oral Polio Vaccine in a Rural District of India

“…1 Vaccination is one of the most effective disease prevention strategies when implemented properly across all sections of the at-risk population. Immunization against a disease is achieved only if a potent vaccine in administered.…”