Progress toward sustainable measles mortality reduction--South-East Asia Region, 1999-2002.

Substantial progress has been made toward meeting the 2003 World Health Assembly goal to reduce measles deaths 50% by the end of 2005, compared with deaths in 1999. Although measles remains the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths among children, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, during 1999-2002, global measles mortality decreased 29%, including a 19% decline among South-East Asia Region (SEAR) member countries. In June 2003, the SEAR Regional Technical Advisory Group on Immunization endorsed a Regional Strategic Plan for Measles Mortality Reduction (2003-2005). This report summarizes progress in measles control in SEAR during 1999-2002 and outlines plans for future activities in the region, which include strengthening measles surveillance, improving access to routine vaccination, and providing a second opportunity for measles immunization.