Last week the American Red Cross hosted the 2015 Measles and Rubella Initiative Annual Partners Meeting. To date, more than 1.8 billion children have been vaccinated and measles deaths have fallen by 75% globally since 2001, resulting in 15.6 million lives saved. However, the gains are fragile as evidenced by a resurgence of measles in some countries including the United States. This year’s meeting focused on the human and financial cost of measles and rubella as well as explored what actions are required to achieve the Global Vaccine Action Plan goals, which commit to measles elimination in four WHO regions and rubella elimination in two WHO regions by 2020.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
