The Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization for the Americas, (PAHO/WHO) was presented with the Measles and Rubella Initiative Champion Award for its work on eliminating measles and rubella from the Americas.
Measles was declared eliminated from the Americas in 2016, following the declaration of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) elimination in 2015. The Region was the first in the world to have eliminated all three diseases, culminating a 22-year effort involving mass vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella throughout the Americas.
“We are extremely grateful for this award for measles and rubella elimination, but we know we can’t let down our guard yet. Cases of measles still circulate in other regions of the world,” said PAHO/WHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne.
Dr. Etienne accepted the award at the annual Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI) Partners’ Meeting in Washington, DC.
PAHO was nominated for the award by M&RI planning committee members, including the American Red Cross, CDC, UNICEF, WHO, GAVI and UN Foundation.
“PAHO’s accomplishments in measles and rubella elimination mark two important things,” said Dr. Mary Agocs, Senior Advisor of the M&RI at the American Red Cross. “Firstly, they have shown the world that it is indeed possible to eliminate measles and rubella. Secondly, they have provided a blueprint on how it can be done.”