Our partners are dedicated to a world free from measles and rubella. When we work together, we are better equipped to ensure that all children are protected from life-threatening complications of these preventable diseases. This year, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has been hard at work executing several vaccination campaigns. 

Vaccination target: 100M children in 2024 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children are still unprotected against vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and rubella. In 2022, 33 million children missed their first dose of measles vaccine.

Every child counts, and it’s crucial that we reach all children with lifesaving vaccines. In collaboration with country governments, partners, and communities, Gavi strives to reach 100 million children in 2024 with the measles and rubella vaccine. Twenty-two countries will implement catch-up and follow-up campaigns to reach those who have yet to receive their much-needed vaccines. 

Read more about Gavi’s 100M children target here.

Innovation in Eritrea

With support from Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, Eritrea launched a nationwide measles and rubella follow-up campaign in April of this year.  Eritrea is using a unique approach: deploying both selective and non-selective vaccination strategies simultaneously. 

While most countries typically opt for either selective (based on a child’s vaccination record) or non-selective (vaccinating all eligible children) strategies, Eritrea’s approach combined both methods. Through this technique, Eritrea aims to reach as many children as possible.

The dual strategy provided more comprehensive coverage, especially in areas with low access to routine immunization services with significantly low immunization coverage and drop-out rates. This approach is the first of its kind attempted by a Gavi-supported country in a single campaign. Thirty-six districts were identified for selective MR vaccination, while 22 districts implemented the non-selective approach where children had access to MR vaccination regardless of their previous MR vaccine dose uptake.

Learn more about this innovative approach on X.