Measles, Rubella, and Tetanus Vaccinations: a Brief Global Review

Abstract

The study aims to review the prevention efforts for vaccine preventable diseases. Significant progress in global vaccination coverage has been made since World Health Organization established the Expanded Programme on Immunization to ensure that all children have access to routinely recommended vaccines. Global coverage with vaccines to prevent tetanus, poliomyelitis, or measles has increased from < 5 to ≥ 85% in multiple countries, and for the first time, in 2016, global estimated measles deaths were fewer than 100,000. However, vaccination rates for the third dose of polio vaccine, diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis-containing vaccine and first dose of measles-containing vaccine have remained unchanged at 84–86% since 2010, demonstrating a need for new strategies to improve immunization rates especially in low-income regions. In addition to political commitment from governments, disease surveillance efforts should be strengthened. In developed countries, vaccine refusal should be continuously addressed. In this review, tetanus, measles, rubella, and polio vaccinations are discussed with their unique success stories and challenges.