Strategy for Elimination of Measles & Rubella Diseases in Ethiopia led to Success
Through efficient vaccination campaigns, increased surveillance sensitivity, and prompt outbreak response strategies, Ethiopia has achieved exceptional success in containing measles outbreaks in recent decades. This was revealed on December 18,2024 at the consultation workshop on the elimination of measles and rubella in Ethiopia.
At the workshop’s opening, Dr. Melkamu Abte, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI), stated that EPHI and the Ministry of Health began the process of eliminating measles and rubella in Ethiopia by creating an elimination strategy in partnership with partners and stakeholders.
The deputy director general underlined that one of the biggest obstacles to advancing epidemic control and elimination operations is still obtaining necessary supplies, particularly the measles vaccine for outbreak response vaccination campaigns. Nevertheless, despite these major obstacles, measles infections and fatalities have dramatically decreased since August 2024 as a result of successful outbreak response strategies, such as several rounds of reactive vaccination campaigns in outbreak-affected and high-risk areas.
During her keynote address, Dr. Mariamawit Asfaw, Lead Executive Officer, MNCA Health Service LEO, Ministry of Health, reported that Ethiopia has decreased the number of instances of non-measles febrile rash (NMFR) from 4.0% to 2.4%. As a result, fewer measles cases are being reported. The chief executive officer added that despite various obstacles, the “Mekdela Woreda” outbreak was successfully contained, and the number of rubella cases decreased, demonstrating advancements made possible by concerted efforts and community engagement.
According to reports, there were 78,106 measles cases in Ethiopia between August 2021 and December 2024. Of these, 633 people died in 458 woredas nationwide, translating to a case fatality rate of 0.81%.
Due to its high transmissibility, measles is a crucial indicator of immunity deficiencies, underscoring the need of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) coverage. According to the 2023 WHO & UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage, the proportion of children receiving the first dose of MCV (MCV1) rose to 61% in 2023, up from 57% in 2019.
Measles cases and fatalities have reportedly decreased dramatically since August 2024 as a result of the deployment of successful epidemic response strategies, including as several rounds of reactive vaccination campaigns in the most high-risk and outbreak-affected districts.
The National Measles and Rubella Elimination Strategy for 2025–2035 is centered on providing guidelines on how to eradicate avoidable diseases like measles and rubella and ensure that no kid is left behind in the future.
The three-day national consultative strategy workshop is expected to establish a framework for collaboration in reducing the burden of the disease over the following five years.